THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Siena Ristorante

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Siena Ristorante Restaurant Review:

A block off well-traveled Colorado Boulevard sits Siena, a very pleasant surprise in a city jaded by an excess of trattorias with interchangeable menus. Here chef Robert Humphreys, a Patina Group alum, applies a sophisticated hand to attractively-priced Italian fare. Begin with a fritto misto in which the lightly battered and deep-fried calamari, shrimp and artichoke hearts are paired with a refreshing Meyer lemon aïoli, or bruschetta topped with mushrooms layered over a mascarpone-garlic mousse. Wild mushroom risotto scented with truffle butter is a particular pleasure, while light gnocchi are briefly pan-fried for color and teamed with crispy pancetta, bathed in a relatively light Gorgonzola-sage sauce. With a few morel mushrooms thrown in for added measure, this is one of the top gnocchi dishes in L.A. Braised beef short ribs and bacon-wrapped trout in an herb beurre blanc are also on the menu, along with thin-crusted pizzas. To finish, consider dipping house-made doughnuts in a chocolate mousse with your cappuccino. Vintage architectural elements, like a black-and-white tile floor and hanging globe lights, dominate the narrow, persimmon-colored dining room.