Los Angeles - May 06, 2003

La Dolce Vita

Dolce Restaurant Opens

Care for something sweet?

(Like we even have to ask.)

Dolce, which means “sweet” in Italian, is the name of West Hollywood’s newest restaurant. And by all appearances, it’s aptly named.

The latest venture by nightlife impresarios Lonnie Moore and Mike Malin (of Belly), Dolce serves food that’ll remind you of Italy in a setting that’ll remind you of, well, L.A. Decor comes courtesy of the ubiquitous feng-shui-savvy Dodd Mitchell (Katana, Sushi Roku, Linq, Falcon): big leather booths, twenty-foot ceilings, and walls of fire that blazes behind thick glass (perfectly safe, we assure you). The patio is cozy with cypress trees, heat lamps (duh), and plenty of candles.

Chef Mirko Paderno (of Ago, Valentino, and Celestino) delivers classic Italian dishes like Burrata cheese with grilled tomatoes and prosciutto, codfish soup with rapini, fusilli with lobster meat and roasted red peppers, and chicory-enhanced veal. An enoteca menu of smaller tasting dishes ($6-$9) is also available, and the wine room is amply stocked. Of course, dessert is a must: tiramisu, ricotta custard, and cold lemon souffle with blackberry coulis.

Very, very dolce indeed.

Dolce, 8284 Melrose Avenue, at Sweetzer Avenue (323-852-7174).