Oste Los Angeles

The opening of Oste brings pizza and promise…

So accustomed to wincing at any alert to activate my inbox, I leaned in, closer, just to make sure my blue light glasses weren’t deceiving me. A restaurant… opening? In January (13th) of 2021? What did that even mean?

Come. Learn with me.

So, this is the part where I would usually wax my first sensory onslaught of visuals. Not how it works anymore. At Oste (Osteria, abbreviated), their West 3rd Street doors have opened for delivery and take-out only. Once Los Angeles is permitted to reopen for dine-in, we’ll get a gander on what’s going on behind that gloriously gilded gate, formerly of Little Next Door fame. Meanwhile, let’s talk about what’s happening in that oven.

Oste Pizza

Pinsa, people. Derived from the Latin word pinsere, to press, it’s a bit of an underground Roman revelation. A distinct style of pizza so transportive it simultaneously scratches that travel itch while reminding us how desperately we miss it (seriously travel. I miss you so much). Roman Italian pizza. Real, true, dating back to the Roman empire true. If you want to, you can think of it as pizza with perks. The high-water concentration and long cold fermentation leads to a crunch that is low in calories, low in fat, and easy to digest. Yes, pizza game. There’s a new player in town. And this OG version knows a thing or two about tradition.

In the now, the menu is truncated. Pinsa pick-ups paired with a swanky take-out beverage list, featuring 40% off all wines (nice. Bello) brought to us by sommelier extraordinaire Tiffany Bulow (Otium). We selected four pinsas for our family of four. Margherita, Funghi, Cipolla and Viva L’Italia.

The fior di latte and fresh basil on the Margherita, the wild mushrooms and truffle oil on the Funghi, the caramelized onions and balsamic and thyme on the Cipolla, and the pesto and goat on that Viva L’Italia. They are all… so good. Remarkably good. The crust does that crispy thing and the freshness of everything on top, it all combines magically. And the feeling of supporting a new restaurant which must have scaled Everests to get their doors open? It metabolizes remarkably as well.

Mushroom Pizza

The co-owners, Jocelyn Bulow of France, and Alessandro Iacobelli of Rome (or so he calls his home) knew exactly what they were entering when they opted into an already competitive pizza market. Pinsa is different. It’s that edible ace discovered when exploring the underground street food scene in Rome.

Once regional public health orders allow for dining in, I will remain genuinely jazzed about pairing these pinsas with some salads, some crudo. But for now. This take-out option is a fantastic Oste orientation. And in a wash of empty windowfronts that inexplicably hurt my feelings, this opening is hope. With truffles.

The Details

Oste, 8142 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States.

Tel: +1(323) 413-2372

Website: www.ostelosangeles.com

The restaurant is located on West Third Street, west of Fairfax and is open Wednesday and Thursday from midday to 9:00pm; Friday and Saturday from midday to 9:30pm and Sunday from midday to 9:00pm. It is closed all day Monday and Tuesday.

Type of Restaurant: Cucina Romana Pinseria & Eatery

Price Band: Medium

Insider Tip: Don’t expect these to arrive in a perfect circle all sliced up. Have your pizza cutter at the ready!

Reviewer’s Rating: 8/10

Author Bio:

Jolie Loeb is a Luxury Lifestyle columnist based in Los Angeles.

Photographs by Jolie Loeb

43 Comments

  1. This is so cool! I love fusing learning with pizza consumption. And I love a company that dares to enter mid-global-pivot! Thanks for the heads up.

  2. Agreed that it is remarkable for a restaurant to open now! Sounds so delicious. Definitely going to try it! Thank you, Jolie for your mouthwatering description!!

  3. So close to me! Can’t wait to try it!!
    But I wanted to comment on how much the empty store fronts hurt your feelings. I cried when the little doggy day care near me closed (I don’t even have a dog) and then again when the old barber across the street shuttered his door( you know, the hole in the wall with the old fashioned twirling barber pole). So many dreams gone! Let’s all support the new dreams…..Love me some pizza!!

    • EXACTLY Elizabeth, and thank you! I couldn’t think of a way to describe it with any kind of sophistication, it just feels like a personal puncture, and it hurts my heart. Because we just know behind all those glass windows was a story and a sacrifice and an against all odds belief in a dream and this was never the way any of it was supposed to end. I’m with you! Thanks so much for your comment. Let’s have pizza.

  4. I’m entirely happy to support the bravery of a company to open a new business in these days, in these times. They could be selling bundles of twigs, and I’d patronize them. Thanks so much for letting me know. Pizza > twigs, by the way.

  5. Oh I get so excited about new places and new foods to try. This will be the next place we get take out from! And hopefully in the near future we can go and enjoy dining in!

  6. You’re making me hungry again, Jolie Loeb! It is indeed wonderful to see new businesses rising from the depths … Looking forward to some delicious pizza.

  7. WOW! Another reason to celebrate the Biden Harris inauguration tomorrow! Must be a glorious omen. A new day G-d willing for all deserving people! This place seems perfectly heaven sent👍🏼

  8. We’re moving back at the end of this week (!!!) and I can’t wait to get me some hope pizza. I would have never known if it wasn’t for you and your delicious writing <3

  9. First a small business opens with one of my favorite things … pizza and then a new president tomorrow …. things are looking up in 2021! So excited for both! 👍🏼

  10. Pizza has become a staple here for the last 9 months. Nice to try another take on a favorite!!! Bold move to open up during Covid! Cheers to that!

  11. Incredible that a restaurant is opening during these crazy times. Will head over and give it a try as soon as we can!

  12. It’s so nice to hear about a restaurant opening instead of closing these days!! Looking forward to trying it…sounds delicious!!

  13. I love hearing about new restaurants opening up! And I can’t wait to visit it in person one day. Thanks for sharing!

  14. Sounds delishiso! I commend their bravery for opening now. I have a new found desire to support local businesses even more than I did before. Thank you for sharing and can’t wait to try.

  15. The pinsa was really delicious — exactly as described. All of the flavor and crunch but never “heavy” at all. It looked a bit like the pizza we try to make at home and I admire the fact that they don’t make it round because it makes me feel like it’s more rustic and authentic (just like my pizza, maybe?). My favorite was the Viva L’Italia, but the Funghi was pretty amazing too. And, frankly, I’d eat the other two any day. Definitely worth a try!

  16. Just picked up Friday night pizza and was delighted. It’s so exciting to shake up regular routine. The dough was amazing and I can tell that they use quality flour. Looking forward to my next gem from you, Jolie, and to going back to Oste!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*