The bustling Brentwood neighborhood in Los Angeles has welcomed a new Italian eatery, Osteria Vera, helmed by chef Nicola Mastronardi who is better known for his former role at the now-shuttered Vincenti restaurant. Osteria Vera, replacing the old Pecorino space on San Vicente Boulevard, launched on May 20 with a major interior overhaul featuring hardwood floors and varnished wood tables, replacing the previous carpeted and white-clothed ambiance. According to Eater Los Angeles, this facelift aims to present a modern and fresh atmosphere, complemented by an open kitchen that allows Mastronardi to overlook the dining area, now buzzing with activity.
Giorgio Pierangali, Mastronardi's partner at Osteria Vera and the former proprietor of Pecorino for 17 years, has requested that the traditional tableside cacio e pepe remain a fixture to satisfy loyal patrons, while giving the chef free reign over the rest of the diverse menu. "Osteria Vera means true osteria," Mastronardi, with his distinctive Italian accent, told Eater Los Angeles. Reflecting his Emilia-Romagna training and Puglian roots, the menu eschews the conventional primi and secondi format, opting instead for a distillation into two segments: cold and hot offerings.
The menu draws on Mastronardi's rich Italian background; he was raised in Puglia and honed his pasta skills in Emilia-Romagna. His reinterpretation of Italian culinary traditions is evident in dishes like burrata with multi-colored beets and a roasted shrimp ensemble served on a canvas of fava bean puree. Mastrinardi's signature includes the orecchiette combined with the housemade sausage, rapini, and a dusting of toasted breadcrumbs, and a flavor-packed octopus dish with fava bean, asparagus, and artichokes that mirrors Puglia's culinary spirit. Complementing the regional offerings, the restaurant also offers a rotating selection of fish, meat, and appetizer specials.
Mastronardi has maintained a devoted following in the upscale Westside enclave, fostering connections through nearly a quarter-century of his traditional yet innovative Italian cooking at Vincenti. His return to Brentwood's dining scene is a continuation of a legacy that started with Mauro Vincenti, whose wife Maureen Vincenti founded Vincenti. "Everybody knows me in this area," Mastronardi's commitment to the neighborhood is a significant draw for Brentwood's Italian cuisine aficionados, as Eater Los Angeles reports, amidst a landscape crowded with established venues like Toscana, Sor Tino, Divino, and a lineup of recent establishments such as Jon & Vinny’s and Casa Modena.
Located at 11604 San Vicente Boulevard, Brentwood, CA, 90049, Osteria Vera serves its contemporary Italian fare Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturdays until 11 p.m., and on Sundays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Those interested can secure a reservation through OpenTable. With Mastronardi's reputation and the zeal for Italian food in Brentwood, it seems likely that Osteria Vera will soon become a culinary staple in the community's already diverse restaurant lineup.
