Bestia

My first visit to Bestia was wonderful, the second time not as great. On the second visit we were informed the pizza had run out because we were late, nobody thought to mention this on the phone less than 20 minutes earlier when we had asked if there were tables. Only 1 veg pasta option was available. I understand things are made fresh, but you'd expect someone with the reputation of Bestia to have enough pizza dough

WOW!! We had an incredible experience at Bestia for my friends birthday. The food, ambiance, and waiters were phenomenal. I understand the hype. But honestly with how great it was, it’s definitely under hyped. We asked the waitress what she thought we should get and every dish we had was so great. Come to Bestia!!

Horrendous host, great food. Maybe it’s just an LA thing for hosts to be rude to the people whose dollars pay their salary (or hourly wage). Despite wonderful service, impeccable food (especially the Ceasar salad and Njuda pizza); the male host left us with the most indelibly awful impression of this otherwise well-run establishment. If ownership does happen to read this, you should consider that for every 1 person that says this via review there are dozens other who simply decide not to return. Hence the reason it’s soooooo much easier to get same day reservations at this place than it ever has been.

Bestia and its sister restaurant Bavel were perhaps 2 of the first settlers in the rapidly gentrifying Arts District, but this was my first visit. I came for a late dinner, having had an earlier dinner practically next door at Yangban (trying to maximize my visits to area eateries). Damien restaurant is across the "street", which is more like a dead-end alley that fills with valet-parked cars. Bestia looks like a warehouse from the outside, which also contains housing units. Inside it's loud , cramped and rollicking. Besides the main dining room (with booths, tables and high tops), there are 2 outdoor dining areas and multiple bar/counter seating areas (including the pizza bar). Since I was dining so late, they had run out of several items, 2 of which I would have ordered: the duck liver pate and the peach melba frozen torte. They were also out of the roasted lamb neck, a version of which is also offered at Bavel. Note Bavel is Middle Eastern, while Bestia leans towards Italian. I was seated at the pizza counter. Neighbouring diners at the counter offered me a slice of their pizza (Calabrese with ranch dressing)--it was good but not great compared to others I've had, including nearby Pizzeria Bianco. I ordered the melon and prosciutto, white corn agnolotti pasta and the strawberry crostata. My favourite was the corn pasta, which I always order if it's on any menu, and the pasta shape is invariably agnolotti. Very fresh since it was the middle of the summer corn season. Service was good despite the crowds. And I love how most restaurants these days offer a selection of zero-proof mixed drinks (mocktails), Bestia had a refreshing citrus sage lemonade. Many other things I'd like to try on the menu.