When you enter Matteo's it looks like a shrine to Italian cuisine. It is architecturally established joint Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin hanging out between the sixties and the seventies. Matteo's is grounding. It is a welcome in this neck of the woods. Jackie Chan and about a dozen guests are dining in a round table in front of me. His black Bentley is parked outside. Jackie Chan is animated. He is talking in his native tongue and waving his hands like an Italian. I can tell that he is having relaxed fun. The atmosphere is raised with friends laughing. I would like to see more artists here.
Patrick, my waiter, is cool. He calls himself 'Just the guy from Northern California'. The staff is deeply baked in nice. You will love the pace. Greg, the manager is a star gentleman who brings ease and comfort. All around Matteo's we feel the peace.
Matteo's is decorated with red booths while some have leopard print. It has been this way since 1963. This place is forty-four years old. Don't let the age fool you. Matteo's was recently reinterpreted and everyone that I talked to through the grape vine says it is better than ever. The space is handsome with tacky art. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with tacky. Tacky is fun. The wood paneling has a touch of hunting lodge smack in the middle of Los Angeles. I love the amber lighting. It softens up your outer looks.
Matteo's is doing a big service to its new and long loyal customers. It is serving cuisine, which is lighter and closer to nature so those loyal customers can live longer and healthier. Clint Eastwood, Rod Taylor, Frank, Dean, and Sammy Davis Jr. along with Phyllis Diller, Don Rickles, and Sean Penn all come to Matteo's. Welcome aboard people. Frank used to come and sit in the back where there is a mirror so that he could see everyone and thing…it is an Italian state of mind.
The wines are served by the glass and they are modest. They need to be rethought and even if it is a sacrifice to cost, I will keep the genuine loves of good food flying back. A suggestion is to bring a bottle of organic wine from the Wine Expo in Santa Monica. The bar could have steamy repercussions with the right girl.
Matteo's has a millionaire's pasta that stands up to its name. Some organic ingredients are used with the meals. I would very much love to see more in the near future. The chef has a way of letting the ingredients speak for themselves. This is not a small feat. There is the new menu, and the Matteo's classic menu. There is a whole assortment of sides to work with your diverse palate, which I am sure you have. Respect for now and then take place here. The mushroom ravioli with micro chopped vegetables is flying saucer light. Farmers Market vegetables are fresh and the angel hair pasta is Tuscan style. The flavors of the ingredients are singing together and separately.
Warm chocolate nuttella cake raises a smile. There is a Lionel train that does its run around the bar…just because it is fun.
Rating-Super cool
