restaurant review: another italian gem in los angeles - pistola

(Los Angeles, CA).  There are lots and lots of Italian restaurants in Los Angeles but Pistola is still a welcome addition because the food and service are top-notch.  It is obvious from the moment you enter that they are working hard to make every detail perfect and enjoyable.  

Our waiter (sorry can't remember his name) had just recently arrived from Chicago and he was endearingly attentive and enthusiastic about the restaurant and the food.  Fortunately we weren't disappointed after all the build up - every dish and cocktail we had was very well prepared and delicious.   

We shared a steak, grilled lobster and a pasta dish (tagliatelle with ragu) - and since we had just returned from Italy, the restaurant had some tough competition.  The steak was seasoned expertly and was the highlight of the meal.  The lobster was also delicious but I still prefer the lobster at Connie and Ted's.  I can't say that the food was better than what we had in Italy, but it came very close and we left very satisfied, especially with the lovely warm ambiance of the restaurant and the attentive service.  (And apologies for not having pictures of the pasta -  we were so hungry and ate almost all of it before I thought about taking a picture... ) 

The price point is a bit high so I imagine Pistola is more of a special occasion or date-night restaurant.  I did notice that they have a very enticing New Year's Eve menu available so if you are looking for a good NYE option, check it out.