Now that the two-month return run of Test Kitchen has come to a close, its temporary Downtown space is ready to serve as the home of Bestia, which opens next Friday, November 23. The new Italian concept comes from the same restaurant group that funded Picca, Short Order, Sotto, Playa and Rivera, and will be helmed by Ori Menashe, the L.A.-born, Israeli-raised chef who played roles in notable local Italians like Angelini Osteria, La Terza, Pizzeria Mozza, and ‘All Angelo. Already, Menashe is getting strong early hurrahs for a sneak-peek of his house-cured meats, one of the items the chef told Food GPS he wants “to be known for,” in addition to his pizzas and pasta.
We already have some idea of what to expect at the long gestating concept, with appetite-arousing online photos of dishes like grilled sardine with pistachio, orange, and fennel, wood-fired pizza and chicken from a Naples-imported oven, and handmade pastas like fusili with porcini crumbs and Niman Ranch beef ragu (though the latest recipe promises a pairing with goat).
Better yet, Bestia’s menu is already online, with dishes like braised beef cheek agnolotti, saffron strozzapreti, grilled whole dorade, house-made spicy ‘Nduja sausage pizza, and chestnut doughnuts for dessert. Take a peek at Bestia’s planned opening menu, before the restaurant opens next Friday at 6:00 P.M.
Bestia, 2121 Seventh Place Downtown; 213-514-5724.
MENU
Antipasti ed Insalate
Sardelle ai Ferri
grilled sardines. arugula. fennel. pomegranate. citrus vinaigrette.
Broccoli in due Modi
broccoli stems sott’aceto. floret salsa verde. fried egg. crispy kale.
Crudo di Pesce
sea bream crudo. squid ink bottarga. chili oil. lemon. breadcrumbs.
Insalata di Casa
little gems. walnut vinaigrette. house made ricotta salata. compressed radish.
Midollo al Forno a Legna
roasted marrow bone. porcini breadcrumbs. gnoccehtti. aged balsamico.
Grigliata di Polipo
grilled octopus. warm lentils. guanciale. salsa di acciughe.
Carpaccio di Bue
beef carpaccio. cured chicken egg. parmigiano cream. wild arugula.
Batillarda di Salumi Nostrano
house made, chef’s selection of cured meats. traditional condiments. grilled bread.
Cozze alla ‘Nduja
steamed mussels. spicy housemade ‘nduja. fennel seeds. preserved lemon. grilled bread.
Coppa di Testa
house made, rolled headcheese. persimmons. wild arugula. mosto.
Puntarelle
italian chicory & winter citrus salad. olives. pecorino toscano.
Crostino con il Cuore di Manzo
beef heart tartare. toast. mint. fresno chili. shallot. champagne vinaigrette.
Ventrigli di Pollo Rosolati
pan-roasted chicken gizzards. roasted beets. belgian endive. aged capra cheese.
Terrina di Nervetti
tendon carpaccio. preserved lemon. pistachio & anchovy gremolata. shaved heirloom carrots.
Pizze
Pizza Margherita
san marzano tomatoes. mozzarella. basil. olive oil. sea salt.
Pizza Romana
san marzano tomatoes. oregano. garlic. anchovies. taggiasche olives.
Pizza ‘Nduja
house made spicy ‘nduja. san marzano tomatoes. mozzarella. scallions.
Pizza con i Salami
house made salami. ricotta. brussels sprouts. chili oil. bread crumbs.
Pizza Bianca
smoked mozzarella. grana padano. radicchio di treviso. garlic.
Paste
Cavatelli alla Norcina
ricotta cavatelli. house made, pork sausage. black truffles. grana padano.
Bucatini all’Amatriciana
charred semolina bucatini. house made guanciale. tomato. pecorino sardo.
Spaghetti Bottarghe
spaghetti mancini. squid ink & mullet bottarga. garlic. calabrian chilis. parsley. bread crumbs.
Pappardelle di Castagne
hand-cut, chestnut pasta. wild mushroom ragu. poached egg.
Agnolotti
stuffed pasta with braised beef cheeks. burro fuso. grana padano.
Fusilli Lunghi al Sugo di Capra
hand-rolled fusilli. braised goat. housemade ricotta salata. pistachio oil.
Strozzapretti allo Zafferano
twisted saffron pasta. calamari. colatura. currants. marcona almonds. chili.
Rigatoni al Pomodoro
rigatoni. tomato sugo. fresh ricotta. basil oil.
Secondi
Orata alla Griglia
grilled, whole dorade stuffed with rapini ripasati.
Cassoela Milanese
braised pork & veal ribs. pork sausage. winter greens and cabbages.
Gallina ai Ferri
grilled half hen. stewed cannellini and borlotti beans. dandelion. chicken liver crostino.
Contorni
Polenta
anson mills polenta. grana padano.
Due Fagioli
stewed cannelini & borlotti beans. herbs. breadcrumbs.
Verdure Arrostite
seasonal, wood oven roasted vegetables.
Dolci
Zeppole di Castagne con Gelato al Caffè Latte
chestnut doughnuts. softly whipped cream. coffee gelato.
Tartelletta ai Cachi e Crema al Pistachio con Gelato al Laticello
persimmon and pistachio cream tart. buttermilk gelato.
Crostata al Cioccolato e Caramello Salato
cacao crust. bittersweet chocolate budino. salted caramel. olive oil. sea salt.
Panna Cotta con i Mirtilli e biscottini al Limone
Creme fraiche panna cotta. huckleberries. meyer lemon cookies.
Our menu is seasonal and is subject to change.
We kindly decline modifications and substitutions.
