Melograno

06/09/2008 Posted by traci8878

What else can I say but Wow! This restaurant has it all-nice ambience, good service and fantastic food! The beet salad was refreshing, the short ribs were tasty, the homemade pasta like nothing I have ever tasted and the peara cotta (sp?) for desert was a lovely way to end the meal. I will be back again and again and highly recommend you try this restarant.

Pros: Everything!!!

05/23/2008 Posted by rc5247

Giuseppe did not greet us with anything. In fact no one asked to help us with the wine list. Our server just returned from her break and had food still in her mouth while telling us the specials. La Cantina is right next door. We sat on the patio so consider yourself warned, there is dueling music between Melograno and La Cantina, very annoying. The setting is romantic but this totally ruined the evening, maybe different if you sat inside. As far as the food, it was just average. Snapper was dry, good sauce though, nothing comes with it except a few string veges. Artichoke salad had NO taste, Fresh fruit cocktails were just weird tasting. We kept trying the drinks hoping to find a good one, but no luck. I am not sure what my husband ate, he'll eat anything. Would not say it was horrible, but do not think we would go back. Nothing special here.

05/16/2008 Posted by kczubrin120

What a surprise! Hidden on Hollywood Blvd, this quaint Italian restaurant was a delicious choice. My father-in-law was impressed by the wine list (which is always a good sign) and the ambiance was wonderful. We sat out on the patio on a pretty LA night. I ordered the artichoke salad to start and the halibut as my entree-excellent. Others got the pastas which they were very impressed with. Overall, I really enjoyed Melograno and would definitely recommend that others go dine there.

Pros: Ambiance, food, service

Cons: Didn't love the desert (rich chocolate cake)

03/24/2008 Posted by nightranger

Melograno has that Elegant, Simple, Spare quality of a NYC "Northern Italian" eatery along the lines of Le Zie or Bottino in Chelsea or even the qualities of Il Cantinori in Greenwich Village. I am not saying Melograno is like these restaurant, but rather it distinguishes itself in the way these restaurants do by focusing on "superb" choices. The menu is the exact right arrangement of smart choices and the specials are extraordinary. All the right elements and "NONE" of the wrong ones. Chief Alberto Lazzarino complete confidence in his choices is apparent in everything offered in the Menu, as is his partners command of the wine selection. We wisely asked for guidance on what wine would go with our 4 very different entree choices and the suggestion of an extraordinary Barbera was made. It was an exceptional value for $45 that we ordered a second bottle even before finishing the first. (really special) Everything about the restaurant plays to the New York sensibility with out being divisive or forced. The cleaver location in the soon to be super trendy Hollywood Blvd location, the Simple elegance of the decor is a page right out of Tribeca or Chelsea, The Strong menu and Specials with no Fill or Frills. The simple , tasteful presentation of the food show the hand of a confidant master with no need to show off. The focus is on the food and the dinning experience. This is "NOT" a restaurant for Celebrity watching or Paparazzo but rather for the much smarter and more discerning patron who is looking for a special evening with friends, extraordinary food and great wine. An absolute Joy I will go again and again. Now I know I wrote this from the perspective of a wayward New Yorker , but I am sure they will welcome folks from anywhere in the world with the same great spirt and warmth that they welcomed us.

Pros: Feel and Quality of a tastful NYC restaurant, With the great weather of LA

Cons: You have to overcome your phobia of eating out on Hollywood Blvd.

01/14/2008 Posted by benmay4

Easily one of the best meals of my life. Almost impossible to pick one thing on the menu, I would definitely recommend getting a few dishes to start with and share. After starting with the amazingly delicate gnocchi among a few other specials, my main course arrived. It was without a doubt, the best veal I have ever had. It was a rolled up and stuffed with a wonderful array of herbs, served with a bartolo wine reduction and plated with heirloom vegetables. It was fork tender and literally melted in your mouth. It was one of the specials, but as good as it was, it would have to be a main stay on the menu very soon. Everyone at my table was in utter awe of each dish. The service was top notch, and even the chef, Alberto Lazzarino came out and spoke with us for a while. Also, if you have a group of 6-8, try to reserve the front "round" table. It was very comfortable and accommodating for a larger group. If your looking to try something new, definitely give them a shot. You will not be disappointed.

Pros: Service, Food, Ambience

Cons: Can't even think of one...

01/13/2008 Posted by etiennejardel

My favorite Italian restaurant. At last, real authentic Northern Italian cuisine! I didn't know what to chose from their incredible menu. I will have to come many time to taste everything. I recommend their raviolis (home made). The service was great. Ask for Giuseppe's advice for the wine. He is very knowledgeable and will tell you everything about the wine to accompany your dinner.