Chef Zach Pollack of Silver Lake staple Alimento is finally pulling back the drapes on his long-awaited Echo Park newcomer, Cosa Buona. The casual Italian eatery is slated to open its doors Thursday, May 25, in the corner space on Sunset and Alvarado where Pizza Buona once operated.
In this new space, the James Beard-nominated chef will roll out classic Italian-American cuisine, focusing on antipasti, salads and pizzas for dining in or takeout and delivery. Beginning on June 1, a selection of both classic and modern, playful interpretations of Italian sandwiches will also be on offer during lunch hours.
Cosa Buona is meant to be a hearty, no-frills joint. "I wanted to open the kind of restaurant that people go to or take out from because the food is very good and very satisfying, not because it's revolutionary cooking or a scene," says Pollack. "You'll come here because you're craving great pizza, Caesar salad, eggplant parm, meatballs. The objective is to create the best version of these dishes, not to redefine Italian food."
To that end, expect the ambiance to pay homage to traditional, red-check-tableclothed Italian pizza joints, and expect the food to do the same. Menu highlights include soft-boiled eggs tonnato, smoky mozzarella sticks with marinara, peel 'n' eat shrimp scampi, baby octopus arrabbiata, white clam pizza and calzones.
To wash it all down, choose from the well-curated selection of natural wines, primarily from Italy and France, with three on draft, including a Prosecco and a Grüner Veltliner.
Cosa Buona is located at 2100 W Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park. The restaurant is open from 5:30 to 10:30pm Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 to 11:30pm on Friday and Saturday, closed on Tuesdays. Starting June 1, lunch will begin daily from 11:30am to 2:30pm. Takeout and delivery will be available for both lunch and dinner service.
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