MOZZA Osteria isn't worth the wait

Reservations must be made three months in advance for MOZZA Osteria and the Pizzeria.  Why?  I'm clueless.  The food is good, but not spectacular. With the economy in a recession, who knew this Italian hot-spot would be so popular, ecpecially because it is on the pricey side.  It's filled with the LA crowd.  People sit at their table glancing up at everyone who passes by, just in case its a celebrity.

My favorite dish at MOZZA Osteria was the Ribollita "Da Delfina."  What?  Its a vegetable soup than has been reduced to thickness and then Nancy Silverton's bread is added to make this dish an Italian delicacy.  Many know Nancy from LA Brea Bakery and years ago, the head pastry chef a Spago's.  Her bread at MOZZA is delicious.  No butter, olive oil or balsamic vinegar is served with it.  Just a silver platter with three varieties: White, Wheat or Whole Grain.  I'm a bread lover, so this could be my meal.  Our friend Mitch loved the Butter Lettuce Salad with hazelnuts, bacon, gorgonzola dolce and egg.  My husband ordered an appetizer from the Mozzarella Bar of  Burrata with marinated beets that were overpowered with horseradish.  Word to the chef, be dellicate with horseradish, a little goes a long way.

All the fish dishes were adequate.  My Pan Roasted Halibut con pepe verde was tasteless with the veal reduction sauce.  They offer a Pasta Tasting Menu with 7 different pastas for $69.  Add $50 more to include accompanying wines with the dishes.  It starts to add up if you include the $12 desserts.

Located on the corner of Highland and Melrose at 6602 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles.  For reservations call: 323-297-0100.

Elvis Lives in Camarillo

Walking into El Rey Cantina in Old town Camarillo, I did a double take when I met the owner, Allesandro Tromba. He looks just like the handsome, Freddie Prinze Jr. This entrepreneur opened his first restaurant in Ventura in 2008 and with much success, his second restaurant in Camarillo.

I sat down with Alessandro and his chef, Mario Gonzales for lunch to learn more about his two restaurants and to taste the Ahi Tostada. Crunchy tortilla chips and a slightly sweet and delicious salsa were served while we chatted.

Alessandro was raised in a restaurant in the evenings and weekends. His parents own the popular Giovanni’s La Bella Cucina and instead of getting a babysitter, they would bring Alessandro to work with them. He started by opening the door or customers, and then worked his way up to dishwasher, prep cook and busboy.

This personable young man enjoys people. While talking, he would excuse himself and greet every patron who entered El Rey with a warm smile. The décor is hp and eclectic. Crystal chandeliers, red booths and black velvet paintings of the King, Elvis Presley, line the rock-n-roll bar that serves over 100 different tequilas. Stevie Ray Vaughan sings out from a neon jukebox as our lunch is served.

Mario has been cooking since he was 15-years-old. Growing up in Colorado, he helped his grandparents grow and harvest vegetables and cook the fresh ingredients into wonderful meals for families and

friends.  As a young adult he worked as a bartender and chef in various restaurants across the U.S. before settling down in Ventura. The two met at the Ventura El Rey and Alessandro offered Mario a job to be the head chef in Camarillo.

As I look over the extensive menu with a “Ed Hardy” style Elvis skull on the cover, I noticed such delectables as Shrimp Taquitos with sundried tomatoes and goat cheese, a Grilled ahi sandwich with grilled pineapple, and a Mexican Cobb Salad with chicken, avocado, feta cheese, bacon bits, pumpkin seeds, black beans, tomatoes and roasted corn. All are under $10.

The Cantina fills up with young families early in the evening and later attracts a 20s to 40s crowd. Since Cal State Channel Islands University is nearby, this is becoming a favorite of the college crowd. Especially on Saturday evenings when El Rey offers live entertainment. Last weekend they had a rockabilly band and the week before a great 60s classic rock band.

Alessandro shared that his El Rey Cantina in Ventura is known for its late night bar crowd. One raucous evening a young woman removed her bra and tossed it up to one of the chandeliers. Other women have since been inspired to follow this idea. So far, the light fixtures in Camarillo are free of lingerie.

EL REY CANTINA - 2302 Ventura Blvd. Camarillo, CA 93010 - (805) 484-4433

El Rey Cantrina - 294 East Main Street, Unit C, Ventura, CA 93001 (805) 653-1111