THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Luigi

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Luigi Restaurant Review:

Luigi is meant to be casual, hip and very L.A. A high-ceilinged dining room features brick walls and dim lighting, adding to its Italian-by-way-of-New-York ambience. Banquettes line both sides of the room, while a communal table and small bar area fill in the center. Being that the menu is entirely made up of small plates, sharing is the optimal way to eat. Sicilian-inspired meatballs are a blend of beef, pork and veal, served piping hot in a cast-iron skillet with hearty tomato sauce that is slightly spicy. Polenta fries are a proper nibble, crispy on the outside and slightly grainy on the inside --- a great texture when dipped in the accompanying Parmesan sauce. There’s even a tiny portion of chicken Parmesan that’s more cute than flavorful. Pastas are served in small bowls rather than family-style portions, with options like spaghetti carbonara and farfalle with shrimp in a white truffle cream sauce. Pizzas, too, are smaller than average, with extra-thin crusts that are very crispy. The best version is the simple margherita. Tiramisu and ricotta cheesecake lead the list of classic desserts, and a small wine list has a selection for most tastes.