Our Chi Spacca experience absolutely blew us away last night. My husband and I came in with high expectations and left with them exceeded on every front....the food, the impeccable service, atmosphere, cleanliness of the well stocked restrooms, all of it! Let's start with the service because it made the night! Manager David was incredible! He was attentive, warm and really went out of his way to make sure we had everything we needed. Miranda was wonderful and honestly every lovely staff member we crossed paths with (that I unfortunately didn't get their names) hit that sweet spot of being polished and professional while still feeling fun and personable. That kind of hospitality is rare and it did not go unnoticed especially since in the past, I too worked in the restaurant service industry (not fine dining however). The food, though! The bistecca fiorentina is the best steak we've ever eaten, full stop! It had a beautifully charred crust, a perfect rosy center and tender incredible depth of flavor. The fresh squash blossoms stuffed with ricotta were light, creamy and absolutely delicious. And the peas with Meyer lemon, ramps and onion were the surprise standout of the table! The English pea dish was bright, herby and the perfect balance to the richness of that delectable steak. We're not wine drinkers so the fact that they have a thoughtfully made Lyre's Amalfi spritz mocktail was a huge plus and it was so refreshing. The space is dark, intimate and buzzy in the best way....the kind of room that makes dinner feel like an event. We're already planning our next visit. If you go and are a steak fan, get the bistecca this fantastic restaurant is known for and thank me later. We were able to find ample street parking on Highland, no problem and it was a short manageable walk to the restaurant. *One important warning however, is park as tight to the curb as you can without scratching your rims on Highland and tuck your side view mirror in if you're able to! Careless assholes notoriously speed down Highland and as my husband and I were walking back to our car from our incredible dinner at Chi SPACCA, we heard and watched a speeding car side swipe someone's well parked, tight to the curb but side view mirror untucked so it got knocked clean off! The side view mirror violently flew off and mirror glass was everywhere. Did the speeding POS stop and leave their insurance information? Absolutely NOT so please be warned! Highly, highly recommend Chi SPACCA! read more

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I booked Chi Spacca trying to use my reserve credit and it was one of the better rated restaurants on the list outside of the Michelin star restaurants. It is on Melrose so can get busy but if you're lucky you can grab one of their metered spots in front of the restaurant for free after 6pm. They seem to also have valet by their sister restaurant so that is an option if you're in a rush. It is an intimate space inside and throughout my entire 2-hour meal all tables were full. They have a mixture of bar, standard seating and even outdoor seating. I will say that I feel like the tables inside are pretty close to each other so I may opt for an outdoor table next time. I also noticed that the indoors did get a little stuffier the more dinner service progressed with the smoke from the meats on the grill. So something for you to note in case you are trying to decide indoor or outdoors. ____________ All their items were described as meant to be shared with the table so they are larger portions. They did recommend at least 4-5 items with a group of two. As for what to get - our server recommended a MUST try for the Focaccia di Recco so we had to get that. I was skeptical at first as it's not your typically fluffy focaccia but it did not disappoint. It's an in between a flatbread/pizza. SUPER cheesy and plenty of olive oil. It holds well but better to eat with silverware. In addition to that we also got the below + Little Gem salad - Loved this! Plenty of crunch and enjoyed the thick pieces of bacon and shaved egg. The vinaigrette was a nice acidity to break up the savoriness of the egg/bacon. + Chicken pot pie (side of carrots) - ended the meal with this and was surprised with the flavors of the chicken! Super savory and filling. I do wish there was more crunch to the crust but this is enough to be a main on its own. + Porcini-Rubbed Short Ribs - Nice acidity with the chimichurri but not my favorite. I think I would have preferred a sweeter marinade for this but it was tender. I would pass on this one next time. + Onion Rings (beef tallow) - I would pass on this one next time too. They fry it in beef tallow so it adds a nice umami to it but it was too salty for my preferences. The sauce was more mayo forward and not as garlicky. ____________ Service here was attentive and really quick to package any leftovers and wrap them in a bag for when you leave. They were pretty quick with this given the size of the tables which was nice but didn't really allow you to nibble on any leftovers throughout the meal. I've also heard good things about Mozza - their sister restaurant so I will need to grab some pies next time! read more

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Saturday dinner- was seated promptly at our reserved time. we ordered 5 items and the cesar salad and blossom came out. Then we waited for 40 minutes for the remainder of our order to come out which were the steak, chicken pot pie, and onion rings. The server didn't inform us of the extensive wait so we were sitting hangry and confused about the lack of communication. The order of the dishes are completely nonsensical. They brought us the chicken pot pie then the steak... the order should've made room for the steak which is the main entree at a whopping $240 price tag. Because we were hungry and ate the chicken pot pie, the steak wasn't as enjoyed as we were already full. This place is clearly understaffed in the kitchen and I hated the whole waiting experience. Also, the manager and server brought out complimentary desserts for the table next to us who are apparently famous so definitely don't appreciate the unequal treatment of paying customers. They also seemed to have received their food promptly on time. Perhaps you'd have to be a celebrity to get decent service here. The best tasting item we all agreed on was the cesar salad.... which means we definitely will not be back. read more

This meat speakeasy has a cozy and intimate vibe. I loved sitting up at the counter and watching all the chefs in action! FYI, some of the items can take 1 hr + to be made (like the oxtail), so keep that in mind! Knowing this helped us make our menu selection. We ended up ordering the anchovy + butter, branzino, cabbage, and beef & marrow pot pie. Anchovy + Butter: I was astonished by how much butter there was! I ended up having to scrape some off. Once I had the preferred amount of butter, the anchovy + toasted bread + butter combo was packed with flavor and textures. Branzino: Prob my fav dish of the night. The branzino was cooked perfectly with its crispy edge. The bed of herb salad and charred lemon was a great pairing with the fish, giving the dish a nice acidic element. Beef & Marrow Pot Pie: I love pot pies so this was a no brainer to order! Its very unique and photogenic. There's a generous amount of beef inside. This dish is also served with a side of extremely creamy mashed potatoes. FYI, this dish takes longer to come out! Cabbage: Nothing too exciting, it was nice to have a veggie side. You feel very well taken care of here. There's plenty of metered street parking around (and after 6PM, its free). read more

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Came to Chi Spacca with a group of 4. Reservations were made in advance. We arrived about 15 minutes early and were seated outside when I saw plenty of tables inside. The reason? Because we checked in early...I've seen a lot of other reviews about how reservation times weren't followed, so I think that may be the norm here. They really should add some shades on the outside dining, because as the sun sets, you're literally sitting in the sun. Moving onto the food, our group wasn't really impressed. I think the only dishes I loved were: -a few of the items from the Affettati Misti (like a charcuterie meat plate) -- The croquette trotter, 'nduja and rabbit pate were all good and paired well with their Focaccia di Recco. All the sliced meats were a bit too salty. -The Beef & Bone Marrow Pie, though it was a very hearty & heavy dish. -Grilled Octopus, this could've used more lime wedges, but I liked the cranberry beans that comes with this dish. The Hanger Steak was nothing to rave about (a bit over); the Glazed Lamb Ribs were okay, some pieces were fall off the bone, but the one I had barely had any meat on it; Short Ribs were also just okay and very oily. We ordered a wine that was around $75 per bottle, can't remember the name but their sommelier recommended. This was pretty good as it paired nicely with all the meat we ordered. Lastly for dessert, we ordered the Gelato with Olive Oil & Sea Salt. Too much sea salt, and their olive oil was likely a bit rancid. Nothing like what I had in Italy before, so that was a disappointment. We did notice a lot of parties picking up takeout pizza for their sister restaurant, so I wonder if that's any good...but I won't be visiting again for Chi Spacca. They have valet available, though I didn't see where. We were lucky enough to find street parking on a small street nearby (not monitored on Sundays). read more

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It pains me to write this review. I have been coming for almost 10 years now on special ocasions. This is actually one of my wife's favorite restaurants. I fell in love with their Foccacia and their Tomahawk Pork Chop. Every year, service was excellent and good was great. Even our kids love it. However, on our last visit last week everything went downhill. We got seated on time at 6pm during our reservation time. We ordered pretty much everything immediately. Salad and Foccacia came within 20min but the entrees did not come until 8pm. We kept asking our server and manager for updates on our food and all we heard was "its coming soon" or "let me check on it". When the food finally came, the pork was EXTREMELY salty. To top it off, the lady in the table next to us was throwing up mid dinner which definitely added to the experience. Not sure if I would come back. read more

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Loved this spot. Out of the 3 Nancy Silverton places that occupy this corner this one is probably my 3rd choice. I love Osteria Mozza, it's my number one and then Pizza is two. Chi SPACCA has a great intimate vibe. The service is very attentive. My only tweak would be its pretty tight quarters, the tables are small and then they're serving you huge portions to try to fit on your table. Not to mention EVERYONE is waiting. Chi SPACCA definitely has the longest wait times for the food out of the 3 cause the menu is so meat heavy. It's just a constant circling of servers and managers telling people, it's coming soon, it'll be a little longer. Stuff takes a good while here. Delicious though! read more

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Found this place to be a bit overrated. I had the Caesar which was solid. Got their burger which was just okay, I honestly like Inn N Out more. Also had the octopus which was tender and nicely grilled but the beans and sauce were bland. Service, however, is impeccable and warrants Five Stars. The restaurant is tiny and the counter seats to view the kitchen are pretty cool. read more

Chi Spacca - Octopus - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Chi Spacca is such a gem in LA. I love coming here to enjoy their steak and wine. Came to celebrate an anniversary and the whole team treated us so well and gave us an amazing dinner. From start to finish, the meals were coursed out perfectly. Perfect for an intimate dinner and dinner with a group, Chi Spacca does well the accommodate. Our favorite here is definitely the Bistecca fiorentina, the 50z porterhouse. Definitely worth it! read more

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This was my second visit to Chi Spacca, the smallest and most meat-centric of Nancy Silverton's 3-restaurant complex on the corner of Melrose and Highland. I came this time specifically for their smash burger, served only at the counter on Mon. and Tues. The counter has 6 seats, and everyone seated there ordered the burger The burger is the most economical dish on the menu. Chi Spacca is not a live fire place (although there is a wood-burning oven), so they have a grill and a flat top. At the counter, I saw huge chunks of meat (New York and Porterhouse) spend large chunks of time on the grill on all sides; an instant-read thermometer was used. The burger of course had a much shorter cook on the flat top. It has 2 patties, American cheese, Calabrian chili aioli, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions and pickles on a toasted sesame bun. The burger was fine. I did not really taste the chili aioli, and the bun did not hold up well, but overall pretty tasty. I started with roasted squash blossoms. These are of course stuffed with ricotta and served with a tangy tomato vinaigrette that had more punch than a traditional marinara, plus basil. Classic. I also ordered the onion rings. They were large, beautifully battered and fried, along with some greens (parsley?). Very crisp and light, but I couldn't really taste the onion flavour. They came with a nice garlic aioli, but I prefer simple ketchup, which they do provide without resistance. For dessert they offer vanilla soft serve ice cream with a choice of 4 toppings; I chose the saucy dates and salted pecans. Delish. Service was decent, but they somehow my burger order was not put in or noticed. I saw 3 guys who arrived after me receive their burgers and sides before me. They were receiving their 2nd round of burgers when I finally got my first, which I may not have received at all had I not asked. When I went to the restroom after the main course but before dessert, they cleared my seat, thinking I had left. Luckily they didn't discard my leftovers! Overall the burger experience is probably a one and done for me. Should I return, I'd probably get a savory pie or grilled meat. read more

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Amazing service and amazing food to make my birthday feel extra special. I enjoyed the handwritten birthday card. The open dining space that looks directly into the kitchen provided warm vibes. The parking was a bit challenging but was able to find nearby street parking. read more

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Having been to Mozza, we wanted to try its sister restaurant Chi Spacca. When we arrived on a Sunday evening, all the street parking was full so we ended up using their valet. Upon entering the restaurant, we were immediately greeted by the hostess and taken to our seats. The dining space was intimate. The tables were almost a bit too close together though. We were hungry that evening so we ended up ordering a few more things that we could finish: the hanger steak, the octopus, the romanesco, the caesar salad, and the salted dates. We started our meal with bread and their Caesar salad. The bread was toasty yet tender, nothing too special. But the Caesar salad was delicious! The dressing was rich and creamy. The greens were crisp. The anchovies were briny, but the saltiness added the right amount of savoriness to the dish. What made the salad more special was the use of lemon and orange juice/zest that really brightened up the salad. After finishing most of our starters, we decided to add the salted dates due to our server's recommendation. We were a bit concerned that the dates would be too sweet, but we were pleasantly surprised. The dates were charred and salted resulting in bitter and savory flavors that helped balance the natural sweetness of the date. For our main dishes, we ordered the grilled octopus, the hanger steak, and the romanesco. The steak was perfectly cooked and paired very well with the bed of braised leeks. Unfortunately the horseradish flavor didn't come through enough. The grilled octopus was also very delicious. It was very tender and the beans and sauce really paired well with the octopus. Lastly we wanted a vegetable with our meal so we opted for the romanesco. The romanesco was cooked well and still firm. The bagna cauda brought the acid and savory flavors to the dish. All in all, it was a great meal and a great experience! read more

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The food here is phenomenal! We booked a a private event with their famed pig head dinner for a special celebration in our family. From the moment we were greeted, service was impeccable. Every wind was catered, too, they exceeded our every expectation! We sampled our way through their entire menu, one dish, more mouthwatering than the next! You can simply taste the care and quality that is put into each detail, each bite, and each dish. Prices are fair, considering you are eating food made by one of the best chefs in town! I love the open kitchen and vibe of the restaurant, it feels cozy and intimate. Highly recommended for a special occasion. I will have to come back for their famed burger night on Mondays! read more

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We were excited to for our anniversary but overall the experience did not meet our expectations. the issue is fairly straightforward: some food was salty (ie: skirt steak), service was mediocre, and food took over an hour which made us kind of hangry. The meat pie was very good though. It's heavy but delicious. Overall for the price just wasn't a memorable experience for our anniversary. Though we did appreciate the note in the beginning wishing us a happy anniversary but from there it kind of disappointed. Not sure if I would return given we made a special trip for this from Orange County and had to spend money on a babysitter.... read more

Chi Spacca is a Michelin recommended restaurant by Nancy Silverton that focuses on meats cooked over open fire. The LA Times has it perennially ranked high on their top 101 restaurant list. The charcuterie is definitely worth trying as they cure their meats in house. I'm happy that they were willing to serve us a "half portion" of their charcuterie ($20 for half portion), which was a great value and shareable for two (assuming that you'll be ordering entrees). What's interesting about the charcuterie is that the sampling of meats has a variety of flavors and textures that you can't really appreciate unless you try them for yourself. The foccacia di recco ($36) is a recipe that took Silverton two years to master. The dough is kneaded out thinner than paper and the layers are filled with cheese. This makes cheesy bread with cracker-like consistency. They gave the option of pairing it with black truffle (which we did for a portion of the bread at a cost of $6/gram), and we also paired this flatbread with their charcuterie. I don't feel that black truffle is necessary as an add on to the thin, crispy bread, particularly if you plan to eat your bread with other things. If I were to come back, I'd honestly order different breads. The beef cheek and bone marrow pie ($68) is their most instagrammable option (other than their signature, dry-aged 50 oz steak). It has a really buttery crust, a rich and savory demi-glace sauce, and a very rich and savory beef cheek that's amplified by bone marrow. If, for some reason, you want even more richness, it's served with really creamy mashed potatoes that likely has a ton of butter. It's good, but it was far too rich, heavy, and decadent for my taste. If you want vegetable side dishes, I really enjoyed their roasted carrots ($17), which were flavored with harissa, yogurt, and dill. It was nice to cut some of the richness of the bone marrow. Our favorite bite of the evening was with their porcini rubbed short ribs ($68). The ribs were cut thin like LA-style galbi and heavily seasoned with the porcini rub, which gave some strongly savory flavor. Overall, I think it was a nice, albeit very expensive dinner. If you are a chase sapphire card holder, this restaurant qualifies for the bi-annual $150 credit if you book a reservation through OpenTable. My three-star review is absolutely not because this restaurant is lacking quality and flavor; rather, I feel it's because LA has a handful of places that offer better value for wagyu and prime beef cooked over fire. I realize that there's nothing value about Wagyu and many will disagree with me; therefore, if you have this on your bookmark list, then you should absolutely try it for a special occasion. Just make sure to be ready to splurge for some of those signature cuts of meat. read more

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Welcome back chi I missed how good you can be. Super attentive great service incredible ambience and the food! Each bite was better than the next. The squid was incredible The artichokes a treat I only wish the 36oz New York was fattier The carrots? Insane The mushrooms? Don't skip I love you chi I'm so glad the greatness has been restored I already want to go back read more

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Service/Ambiance (5/5): Beautiful interior decor, perfect ambiance for an upscale night out with friends or a date. Staff were very friendly and attentive. Try not to come here too hungry though, the pace for the food is very slow. Actually very authentic Italian style. Enjoy the atmosphere, have good conversations and relax. It took us 2.5 hrs to get/finish 3 dishes. Food (3/5): The food is objectively fine. The 3/5 came down more to value more than anything else. Focaccia was nice and crisp. Definitely a treat, but $36 for super thin paper light crispy bread and cheese? Questionable. Cioppino was probably my favorite of the night. It was paired with delicious sour dough bread, however, I can do without the spread on the bread. Bread tasted way better when dipped into the stew. Also the bread was pretty burnt on the crust. Seafood itself is standard. But again, $72 for 2 small slices of rockfish, prawn, mussel, clam, and scallop? The most I've ever paid for a Cioppino. We finished off with the Beef & Bone Marrow Pie. The pie had an outstanding crust. Very flaky and crispy straight out of the oven. The filling is packed with flavor. But it is a very heavy dish. I am pretty surprise they paired it with a very buttery side of mash potatoes (not specified on the menu). A pie with a thick, carb-heavy crust and a rich filling, paired with an equally carb-heavy, rich and buttery side of mash. I would say it's a rather unbalanced dish. Should've paired it with a different side to cut the grease/richness. Overall, id pass. Unless you're a chase sapphire reserve card holder. The value is simply just not there and there are plenty of other places in LA that's better for a fraction of the cost. read more

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**SOLID ITALIAN IN LA** PARKING Valet is your best bet. If not, be ready to walk a few blocks and hope for street parking. AMBIANCE Small, dark, and moody in a good way. We sat at the chef's counter, hands down the best seats in the house. Great view of the action and adds to the experience. FOOD Focaccia di Recco - $34 Stracchino and extra virgin olive oil. This was the standout starter. Beautiful presentation, light and crispy with excellent flavor. Worth every bite. RATING: 5/5 Chicken Pot Pie with Roasted Carrots - $48 A large, hearty pie paired with buttered, creamy roasted carrots. Comforting and rich, definitely meant to be shared. Prefer more American traditional. We ordered too many dishes and couldn't finish the pie but was an excellent leftover. RATING: 4/5 Hanger Steak - $45 Cooked perfectly medium rare with braised leeks, Pecorino, and horseradish. Bold, balanced, and packed with flavor. One of the best dishes of the night. RATING: 5/5 Onion Rings - $17 Big battered rings with garlic aioli. Good flavor, but the batter was thicker than I prefer. Lighter would've been better. RATING: 4/5 OVERALL Excellent choice for a date night or special occasion. Undoubtedly request seats at the chef's counter. Service was fantastic, pacing was spot-on, and our waiter was friendly and professional. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. read more

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Came here for our date night and to check a new restaurant with our Chase Sapphire dining credit. The restaurant is really small, dark, and intimate, more casual than super fancy, so a lowkey vibe. The service was great, our server was very professional, attentive, and very detailed when explaining the menu. From our server's recommendation we tried their famous Focaccia di Recco. It was thin, crispy, and had plenty of cheese that was delicious, but pretty salty. For mains, we ordered the Cioppino and the Beef & Bone Marrow Pie. The Cioppino was better than the pie in my opinion, great for sharing. It came with 2 pieces of that still had some crisp in the skin, 2 scallops, 3 clams and 2 juicy prawns in a nice savory tomato broth. It also came with sourdough bread with a heaping mound of saffron aioli, great for dipping into the tomato broth, but I wish they put the aioli in the side cause it was too much. The Beef & Bone Marrow Pie came last cause it took the longest to cook, and I was expecting the meat to be tender and melt in your mouth for the $68 price. It was very rich, heavy, chewy, and salty. The crust was nice, buttery, and flaky. But I don't get why they served the already rich and salty pie with a side of rich buttery oversalted mashed potatoes. The pie would've benefited more if paired with something acidic and a bit lighter like tomatoes or a salad to give a break from the super heavy pie. Overall, I'm glad we came here with dining credits because this place was expensive. The food tasted good, but everything was too salty, I got really full drinking water. I think it's okay to check out but definitely not a bang for your buck, $68 for a beef pie is too much. read more

Chi Spacca - Beef and Bone Marrow Pie - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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SAPPHIRE CARD HOLDERS BE AWARE THEY CHARGE YOU AS MOZZA2GO instead of CHI SPACCA . I feel strongly enough about this experience that I needed to let it sit before writing, because the frustration was unreal. My reservation was for 8:45 PM. I checked in an hour early at 7:45 PM, politely letting the host know I had called ahead and asking if there happened to be an earlier table available as I am commuting 2 hours. Totally understood that there were no guarantees. What I did not understand was being seated 30 minutes past my reservation time -- and only after standing around watching tables turn, guests shuffle in and out, and staff move back and forth in a space that already feels claustrophobic and chaotic. I even watched as a couple with the same reservation time (who had asked for the bar & come in after me) get seated before me in the same area. I've attached proof of my reservation and the timestamp showing when we were finally seated. This is Los Angeles. In the vastness of this city, no restaurant is worth this amount of wasted time and money. I make the drive for good food and LA is a city filled with one Michelin stars and listed spots, even many unlisted that are hidden gems - I'd recommend Gwen another spot just a mile away for sapphire card holders and everyday consumers. And the most disappointing part? The food didn't even come close to justifying it. Mediocre food the tones were all sour. Nothing memorable, nothing exciting, nothing that made me think, "Okay, at least this was worth the wait." At the end of the day if the food is not amazing at this price you are selling the experience - service, ambiance, and even food was not even worth half the price point. If you are used to flavors seasonings beyond salty, sour, oily if you are looking for umami something with substance - this is not it. The support they receive here Is an idea and illusion of a bustling popular eatery when it's in fact three places that make up what should just be just a pizzeria. The worse part is my server was actually nice, I feel so incredibly bad and this is in no way the servers fault but timely service and good food are aspects of a dinner anticipated especially at this price point. I wanted to leave but at every point it was a game of cat and dog - give it a few more minutes just a few. The ambiance only made things worse -- cramped, loud, constant traffic, and an overall feeling of being rushed out rather than welcomed in. Limited space plus constant movement completely kills whatever atmosphere this place is trying to sell. I left frustrated, disappointed, and honestly confused. A restaurant asking for this level of patience should deliver something exceptional. Chi Spacca didn't come anywhere close. read more

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We decided to have dinner here on Halloween night before our magic show nearby. Italian food is absolutely our favorite, a meat focused Italian place was just perfect. The Halloween accents were so much fun. We were seated at chef's table to see all the actions in the kitchen. The meats on grill were interesting to look at. But the smoke was a bit much for my sensitive nose. Hubby tried a couple red wines and decided on a dry one. For food we had SPACCA caesar, anchovy & peppers, beef tongue, whole branzino and lamb chop. Also whole candied apple pie and coffee drinks as desserts. The food was fantastic in good portions. Caesar salad was my favorite. Hubby enjoyed the beef tongue very much. The service was excellent and I liked how relaxing the entire meal was. This is a very small restaurant, it was low key and cozy just the way I liked it. This entire building is all three Nancy Silverton's restaurants. Since we love Italian food so we will be back real soon! read more

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Tried this place based off the Chase Dining selection for a celebration dinner. Was so excited to try out an Osteria Mozza adjacent dining experience. So different than your usual Italian fare but had such a great time here. Made a reservation to sit outside and was honestly so glad we did. The inside is a bit tight and was louder that night so sitting outside next to the lights and plants was actually the more intimate way to go. They did not forget about us at all out there. Our server was so well informed about the menu, we even listed to much of her recommendations and thank god we did! You must try the Onion Pie, Focaccia di Recco and the Whole Candied Apple Pie. The pork jowl doesn't seem to be a permanent item and for good reason. It was a little too greasy and unbalanced to enjoy. The caesar salad had too much cheese it was awe inducing at first glance but it was too salty to enjoy. Would LOVE to come back to try the other meat selections again. read more

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Wow. Just Wow. I came here on a Thursday for my birthday with a friend. We opted to sit at the counter so we could see all the action. You literally sit in front of the kitchen. From the moment we stepped through the door, we were greeted warmly the whole night. Service was impeccable. As soon as we sat down, we were greeted by our waitress, possibly the manager, and the sommelier. It was overwhelming at all. And throughout the entire night, we need had to refill a glass at all. Sitting at the counter was really fun. We were actually able to spot when we were going to receive our food. We we loved watching all the steaks they were grilling up. My only warning is that you might smell like smoke when you leave since you're close to the grill. Now. to the good part: Food. We ordered the following: - Warm Salted Dates: Exactly what you would expect. So delicious if you like dates. It wasn't overly salty but added the perfect balance. - Hanger Steak: We ordered this medium rare. Holy moly that was delicious. It was cooked to perfect. My ONLY complaint is that it does come with horseradish sauce. I feel like they could have upped the horseradish. It was so subtle I could barely taste it. And I feel like anyone who wants horseradish really wants to feel the punch. - Beef & Bone Meat Pie: Tender tender tender. That's all I can say. It was so delicious. My friend and I LOVED this dish and it was actually perfect because she loves the pastry part of meat pies and I like the meat part of the meat pie so we were able to eat more of what we liked! - Side of Peas: Simple but I liked how the peas weren't super mushy! - Burnt Cheesecake with pinenut brittle: OMG that brittle was so good! The cheesecake was more of a light texture rather than thick and heavy, which I like. It is still very heavy so my friend and I couldn't finish it, but it was so delicious Overall, would definitely come back to try some other dishes. I'd come back here for the service alone! read more

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Wow another 5 star restaurant experience in LA! Truly great meal...from food to service. There were three of us and we over ordered to ensure we tried everything and got the benefit of leftovers. Can't miss the Focaccia di Recco, Short Ribs, Beef & Bone Marrow Pie or the Onion Rings. Caesar Salad and Cheesecake were also great, but not quite as standout. Our server was amazing...she even gave us raw focaccia dough so we could go home and cook our own, since we were so obsessed with the restaurant's. Highly recommend! read more

This is one of the Chase Sapphire Reserve dining so we decided to give it a shot. The bone marrow pie and hanker steak was so good. The mashed potatoes were also perfectly creamy. Even the anchovies butter bread was a nice treat. I think my least favorite would be the carrots. Service was excellent and the outdoor seating was a nice touch. I would come back here when I'm back in town. read more

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Chi Spacca absolutely lived up to the hype. From the moment we sat down, the service was fantastic. Friendly, efficient, and attentive, without ever feeling over the top. Everything we ate was spot-on, perfectly seasoned, and clearly made with care. Every single dish we ordered was incredible, including the sides, but the beef and bone marrow pie was, wow. Absolutely the star of the show for me. I can't stop thinking about it. It was rich, savory, melt-in-your-mouth goodness wrapped in a flaky crust. One of those dishes that makes you pause after the first bite and is truly unforgettable. If you're in Los Angeles and love great food with exceptional service, Chi Spacca is a must. It was worth every penny and every calorie. read more

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What a celebration! This meal must be preordered,, and we were treated like royalty upon our arrival. The restaurant was full, but there are plenty of (very attentive and professional) servers and no one felt rushed. An open concept restaurant is always fun, and from our special table, we had a terrific view of both the dining area and the kitchen. The food was phenomenal. Each dish earned a wow. The salad was simply dressed but so bright and flavorful with plenty of fresh herbs. The olives were a great variety with a few unusual ones in the mix. The mixed appetizer board was absolutely delicious. The focaccia is a must order at this restaurant and was very popular with other diners. The name is a bit misleading, unless you know your breads. Don't expect a pillowy pizza; this is more a tarte flambée. Perfectly cooked, thin crackling crust, and generously topped. On to the star of the show - the pig. The head is proudly presented and then whisked away to be carved and served. À huge amount of food, all of the skin and fat is served as well. The pork tomahawk is carved beautifully and the meat is delicious. The side vegetables were cooked perfectly; the pickled ones were vinegary, which helps cut the fatty flavor of the pork. The ice cream was just the right melting point to enjoy, and the whimsical spiced pig cookie matched well. The food pushes the edge on seasoning, but it is well balanced and the components of each course are well thought out. Again, a fantastic experience. The food and the staff made it shine. read more

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Had such an incredible dinner at Chi Spacca! If you love steak, this is your spot. The meat is cooked perfectly rich, flavorful, smoky, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Every bite felt thoughtfully prepared and high quality. We ordered: Florentine 50 Oz Porterhouse, Spacca Caesar, Squash Blossoms, Focaccia Di Recco, and the Citrus Salad. The service was just as good, the staff were knowledgeable, attentive, and made great recommendations without being too overbearing. We sat outside, and the patio seating was fantastic -- comfortable, relaxed, and perfect for a long, enjoyable dinner. Amazing steak, great service, and a wonderful outdoor setup, we can't wait to come back! read more

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My husband and I visited for an anniversary dinner. Unfortunately the food was really disappointing, particularly the seasoning. We started with the focaccia, which was cheesy and a bit salty. Then we had a long wait for the remaining dishes. They eventually came at once - grilled octopus, skirt steak, and broccolini. When it comes to the salt level, I'd give the octopus a 8/10, the skirt steak a 6/10, and the $17 broccolini a 12/10. At the end of the night all we could taste was salt. We ended up not packing any leftover to go. The best thing we had all night was the two spoonfuls of complimentary banana ice cream to celebrate our occasion. The one star is for our server! She was kind and tried to check in despite the busy night. read more

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Matt B. and I went to Chi Spacca a couple months ago for the first time since the pandemic, and while it was still great, it didn't quite feel like the same restaurant. The dining room used to be this dark, cozy space between Mozza and Mozza2Go, but at some point, I guess a wall came down, and now you can make a reservation at Chi Spacca and end up sitting inside Mozza2Go. This happened to us (yes, I know, "happened" is a big word for this first world problem), and we spent our date night sitting across from each other at a communal table that took the place of the wall, with one of us sitting right by the register for Mozza2Go. I took this seat first but switched with Matt when the constant take-out traffic made it too cold for my comfort. Our dinner was at 8:30, and I'm glad we didn't start any earlier. Things were much better after 9:00 or so, when the pick-up business slowed down. Our waiter was unable to seat us elsewhere, but service was otherwise good (and obviously the restaurant design was not her fault). We shared a bottle of red wine and felt much more relaxed when we settled in and had some food and drink in us. The food was as good as I remembered. We started with the affetati misti, which is arguably the thing to get at Chi Spacca. It came with trotter fritti, 'nduja, pork pate, guanciale, and testa, and we supplemented it with bread and a preserved vegetable plate. Matt is pickier than I am, so I ended up eating a little more breaded deep-fried pig foot and head cheese than I might otherwise have wanted, but I'm not complaining. It was all excellent, and I loved the pickle plate, an assortment of turmeric-spiced cauliflower, puntarelle, cabbage, fennel, carrot, and sweet, plump, vinegary grapes. For entrées, we shared the hanger steak and the pork segreto, both heavy but both winners, tender and beautifully cooked. The hanger steak came with braised leeks, pecorino, and horseradish, the segreto with a lemon, caper, and anchovy salsa. We also got a side of cone cabbage cooked with bagna cauda butter and lemon zest. Delicious. We were pretty full at this point, but we shared the fior di latte float for dessert. It was a luxurious little float, fior di latte gelato topped with Cocchi "Doppo Teatro," a lovely vermouth amaro. This was a nice night out, and I'm glad to see Chi Spacca thriving with the rest of the Mozzaplex after all these years. I'll only go back, though, if I can avoid that dud table. It was kind of an unacceptable set-up for an expensive dinner. read more

I really loved the vibe of the restaurant. Classy but in the most comfortable way. The service was absolutely amazing, thinking one step ahead. The open kitchen was inspiring. The food was amazing! Every dish I completely enjoyed. The timing of when each dish came out was excellent. The wine list was perfectly picked. read more

Chi Spacca - Do - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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We went to Chi Spacca for my birthday and it ended up being one of the best restaurant meals I've had in years. Not just in Los Angeles -- I'd honestly put it up against places I've eaten in New York, Las Vegas, and even some of the best restaurants I visited in Europe. Easily in my top five. Every single thing we ordered was outstanding. The food is rich, deeply flavorful, and clearly prepared with a lot of skill and care. The portions are also very generous. We ordered the porcini-rubbed short ribs, pork chop, broccoli, mashed potatoes, and their signature focaccia. Every bite was perfect -- the kind of meal where you keep passing plates back and forth because everything is that good. We ended up sitting at the bar because there weren't tables available inside. At first I was a little disappointed because the outside seating is literally right on a busy boulevard during traffic hours, and the photos make it look more like a cozy patio. The bar was also a little warm since you're right in front of where they're cooking. But honestly, once the food started arriving, none of that mattered. Watching the chefs cook was actually fun, and the quality of the food completely made up for any minor discomfort. The wine was excellent as well. I had a white, and my husband ordered a Fiano di Avellino that paired beautifully with the meal. The service was impeccable. It was my birthday and they surprised us with a small tart and ice cream with two spoons to share -- just the right touch without being over-the-top. Everyone was warm, attentive, and genuine. They even carefully packed up our leftovers for us. The ambiance is nice but not flashy or overly fancy. And honestly, it doesn't need to be -- because the food completely steals the show. It's not a cheap restaurant, but the value is absolutely there. I've been to places that cost more and delivered far less. We will absolutely be back. read more

Chi Spacca - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I went in with low expectations since some reviews were mixed but I/my party thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience and all of the dished we ordered. Our waitress was bubbly and very informative on the menu however, seems like she only recommended the most expensive dishes--perhaps those are their signature dishes but we opted to forgo and we were glad we did as we could sample more of their other dishes. Definitely they season their food, maybe a bit too much on the salt on the Cesar salad and hangar steak but overall wonderfully executed. Most tender hanger steak I've ever had! Grilled octopus was nicely done, has a nice char taste to it and the beans were tasty. Branzino is a nice summery dish, very fresh and light. The short ribs were delicious! Ended with a strawberry crumble that wasn't too sweet, to our liking, paired with their homemade soft serve. Our cups were always filled and they came by often to change out our plates and utensils, very good table service. We sat outside so can't really comment on the interior ambiance. read more

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My husband and I have been going here for years. We love the back story of Nancy Silverton. However, after our recent experience I don't think we will be going back anytime soon. Mainly due to Shrinkflation in portion sizes. In part, the Cesar salad which was the best in the city. The salad was served for one person, (this salad used to be huge) flavors were not there . All while the salad was smaller the prices stayed the same. It's subtle, but once you notice it, you'll see it everywhere. Here are some clear, real-world-style examples: Just go eat elsewhere, there are plenty of other restaurants worth it for the money with a Michelin Star. They turned into Rustic Canyon, the food is subpar, the quality has gone down drastically. Sorry Nancy, you've skimped out extremely within less than a year and the prices are the same. read more

I had been looking forward to coming here a few weeks ago to celebrate my birthday and didn't realize it's associated with Osteria Mozza which is right next door. This is okay because I'm a big fan of Nancy Silverton's. That aside, the three of us came here last night for a 6 pm reservation on a Tuesday night (it was a first time visit for all three of us). In less than an hour the restaurant was pretty full plus, I scored a parking spot on Highland Ave. ~20 yards+/- below Melrose Ave. After looking at photo's leading up to last night, we ordered the five dishes I've provided with my review. Everything was excellent but, my favorites were the Spacca Caesar salad, mussels and onion rings. I thought the salad was light and refreshing with it's tangy dressing, the onion rings were lightly battered and the mussels were served cold. Normally I've had them in the shell but this was very different. And, paired with the toast was perfect. While I love short ribs, my next visit will include the 36oz dry-aged, bone-in New York steak. The gentlemen sitting next to us ordered it and it looked killer! Service all around was great and I liked the size of the restaurant. Just quaint enough and while it was slightly noisy, there was sufficient spacing around us so that we could hear conversations but not every word. My only gripe is coming from SGV to dine at nice places like Chi Spacca, mid-Whilshire, the west side is the traffic and parking... ugh. read more

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This is a super famous place, all of my foodie friends, as well as meat, lover, friends, have been here! It's right next to, and connected to the Famous pizza place,Mozza, both located at the super busy corner of Melrose and Highland in Hollywood. The atmosphere is super casual with small tables pretty close to one another. Great energy of a local pub going around here. I love the service! The manager was very cordial with the great sense of humor, our waitress was super tentative, and most amazingly, The busser (the dining room attendant who clears the dishes away) was friendly and a great communicator - now that is rare! We ordered their short ribs, which were super tender and tasty; the branzino was baked just right; the octopus was prepared perfectly! The carrot salad was simply amazing! A must try. Lastly, but certainly not least, the stuffed squash blossoms were amazingly, beautiful and tasty! Their mushroom pizza was fantastic, great for takeout as well. We order the chocolate cake and the rhubarb tart for dessert; they were OK, nothing amazing but good enough. Yelp listed them as $$$$, which may seem super expensive. Their portion sizes were pretty good and I thought the food was worth the money. Coming here, like coming to most of the Hollywood places, was a pain, during the evening rush hours! They do have valet parking right at the corner of Melrose and Highland, and it's $16. Trying to find street parking in this area maybe a frustrating experience - even if you find one, be very careful to read all the signs! read more

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Chi Spacca is definitely a special occasion spot. We had a lovely evening overall, thanks in no small part to David, our wonderful server. He was warm, attentive, and gave us great guidance throughout the night. We started with the focaccia, and... honestly? For $30, I expected to be spiritually moved. Instead, we were a bit underwhelmed--good, but not memorable. Save the bread budget for wine. The Costata Fiorentina was the star, as expected. Cooked beautifully and served with flair, though it could've used a touch more salt to really bring out the richness of the meat. Still, a showstopper. Surprise winner? The stone fruit cucumber salad. Bright, fresh, and a perfect counterbalance to the heavy hitters on the menu. If you're ordering meat (which you should), get the salad too. Trust. Pro tip: Sit at the counter. Watching the grill in action adds a whole new layer to the experience--plus, it's hot in both senses of the word. read more

Chi Spacca - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The service was so great!! Cannot speak highly enough about the waitstaff. They were so knowledgeable about the food choices. The food was so presentable and wonderful! However, the tomahawk pork was very hand handed with the seasoning, it was very overly salted. The pork was very tender though. The bone marrow pot pie was such a delicacy. Perfect balance of mushrooms and beef and bone marrow. The crust was very flaky and paired well with the mashed potatoes. The salad we tried was a very lovely mix of lettuce with a light lemon vinaigrette. The amount of vinaigrette used was a little overpowering. Beautiful amount of sunlight coming through. Call to reserve. Parking is valet or street parking. read more

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The focaccia. Oh my god, the focaccia. If for no other reason, come here and get it IMMEDIATELY. It looks like a pizza, tastes like the most delicious bread you'll ever eat, and it's just DIVINE. Everything else here is great too, but seriously, the focaccia is so good I dream about it. read more

A reservation, like a train schedule or a weather forecast, is often more aspiration than promise. We arrived 10 minutes before our reservation and settled into the peculiar limbo familiar to anyone who eats out in Los Angeles: the waiting game. An hour later, we had enough time to wander down the street, attempt a visit to the nearby dispensary, discover it had been shuttered by a police raid, and return to find ourselves still tableless. We were hardly alone. Reservation after reservation accumulated in the foyer like planes circling LAX. One couple received a flute of champagne as consolation. Others stood patiently, staring into their phones, negotiating with disappointment in their own private ways. It would have been easy to leave. But restaurants are ecosystems, and on a busy night the machinery sometimes jams. Tables linger. Celebrations run long. The arithmetic of hospitality stops adding up. When the table that would eventually become ours finally opened, I gently reminded the staff that we too had been waiting. We had come to celebrate a friend's birthday, after all. Dining out is not a trivial expense these days. It is a deliberate act, a choice to gather around a table instead of a kitchen counter. What followed is the reason I am writing this review. David and Melinda (if memory serves me correctly) understood something essential about hospitality. Not perfection, but recovery. Not the mistake, but the response. A restaurant reveals itself not when everything runs smoothly, but when it doesn't. They shifted the evening's rhythm entirely. Suddenly the wait receded into the background, becoming just another story attached to the meal. Their generosity and attentiveness transformed what could have been a frustrating birthday dinner into the sort of night people continue talking about weeks later. A great meal is never only about what is on the plate. It is about timing, circumstance, luck, and the people guiding you through the experience. On this particular night, the timing faltered. The people did not. And that made all the difference. Food is, as always, on point. Don't sleep on the octopus and pork chop. read more