la.foodblogging

My friends at work know there’s one place to go for lunch that will always put a smile on my face. Palermo. Even though this local favorite was awarded Best Pizza in LA by LA Weekly, I find it fun to keep trying different items on the menu. My worst dining experience there was when the food came out merely good instead of the usual must-keep-eating-even-if-stomach-bursts fantastic. I have never eaten anything bad here. So what makes this place so outstanding? For me it’s three things: the welcoming, home-style familiarity feeling the restaurant emits, the friendliness of the servers, and knowing just what to order.

This Los Feliz Italian-American restaurant creates a warm and comfortable environment for diners with its dim lighting and hand-painted wall murals. Aside from that, the décor is very casual. During my first visit, I thought the interior design was a little campy, but it has really grown on me, and I can’t imagine Palermo being any other way. Each table has a paper placemat with a map of Italy on it, showing you exactly where Palermo is, along with other familiar cities like Rome and Venice. From the moment you sit down (preferably in one of the booths) to the time you leave, you feel relaxed.

The family feel of Palermo may be in part due to the atmosphere created by the décor, but the core of it should be attributed to the staff. The owner, Tony, recognizes his regulars, and he is able to prove it by anticipating their usual drink. The servers are casual in their demeanor but remain professional at all times. If you order water or soda, they are really prompt about coming by for refills. The staff is unobtrusive, but if you strike up a conversation with them, they will chat with you. If you like your food prepared a particular way (whether it’s salad dressing on the side or extra sauce on the plate), they are happy to accommodate. You never feel uncomfortable asking for anything at this place.

I have had many meals at Palermo that have been less than extraordinary, but if you stick to any of the following, you should be just as happy as my stomach was: individual size pizza (pizza rosa seems quite popular, but I typically stick to good old pepperoni), meatball sandwich, rigatoni with meatballs (but ask them to bake it for you), and raviolis. I stray from these standards when I feel like trying whatever the special of the day is, and occasionally it does not turn out as well as I initially hoped. Past specials have included beef lasagna, angel hair in garlic and olive oil, and spinach ravioli stuffed with chicken.

Additional tips: Though there is street parking, just use the valet service. The street is so crowded that finding a space can be more trouble than its worth. For whatever reason, my friends and I find the crust of the individual pizzas to be flakier and tastier than the larger pizzas, so stick to individual pizzas no matter what. Oh, and if your “friends� set you up and tell Tony it’s your birthday, you get a free cannoli with a candle stuck in the ricotta while being serenaded by everyone at the restaurant.

Palermo Ristorante Italiano
1858 N Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 663-1178
Mon 11am-11pm;
Wed-Sun 11am-12am
(Yes, they are closed on Tuesdays, and every year they take two weeks off during the summer.)

By Pauline (see more of her posts).