Firenze Osteria, Toluca Lake, CA

Chef Fabio Viviani from Season 5 of Top Chef brings Florence, Italy to Toluca Lake, CA.

The decor let's you know straight away that you will be experiencing fine dining. The dining chairs are padded leather Parsons chairs and they are super comfy. Tablecloths, lighting, glassware, design, no detail was overlooked. Money was spent in the dining room and it really creates a nice atmosphere for dining.

The bread is as you would expect, warm, fresh, accented with herbs.

This dipping sauce comes with the bread.


Q says the Calamari e Zucchini is very difficult to get right and he should know because if it's on the menu he will try it and compare. I don't like calamari so this is Q's review and he says it lives up to expectations. It is crispy on the outside and firm but not rubbery on the inside. Try it.


The Beet salad ( a Special of the Evening) is extraordinary, seriously. It is the best beet salad ever. The candied walnuts are balanced with savory and sweet. The gorgonzola cheese in not overwhelming which means they used a delicate hand. Recommend.

This is

Ravioli di Brasato - Braised Short Rib Ravioli with 25 year old Balsamic vinegar. Yes it's to die for just look at it. Creamy and full of rich tasty rib meat.

Bistecca di Maiale - Pork Chop 14oz of love

The Pork Chop looks like a steak, the size is enormous. 14oz never looked so big. It is served on a bed of sauteed Brussel Sprouts and cripsy pancetta with dizzle of extra virgin olive oil. A must try!


Now for a first.

This dish was another special (not on the menu). Q ordered the Polenta crusted Halibut with mashed potatoes with a pomegranate reduction sauce.

The first bite was good. The second bite was salty. Third bite Q let me try and it was salty, how sad, so salty it overwhelmed any other flavors. Q for the first time ever had to call over the waiter and explain. Our server was very apologetic and offered to get Q anything else. Since Q is a Pescetarian and there were few fish dishes Q opted to get the same thing again. See what happened below.

Chef Fabio came out and personally prepared the above dish the way he obviously intended for it to be served. We also spied him reprimanding the original preparer of the first plate. Compare the one above with the previous picture a vast difference. Viva la Difference! This was a tantalizing dish. The sauce, now plentiful changed the dish entirely. I hope he makes it a regular on the menu and also schools the other chefs in how to taste before serving.

Finally, a fabulous Italian restaurant comes to the valley!

Firenze Osteria (walking distance to Universal Studios)
4212 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91602-2855
(818) 760-7081

http://cmp.ly/0