Sometimes, life calls for a cast iron cauldron filled with meatballs submerged in bubbling Sunday gravy.
Meatballs are no longer limited to Italian restaurants. Forget the classic beef, pork and veal trinity. Anything that walks, flies or swims is now fair game. Find my favorite Los Angeles meatballs, some recognizable classics, others highly original.
Subtractions: Bucato (Closed), Cast (Closed), Corazon y Miel (Closed), Cooks County (Closed), Haven Gastropub + Brewery (Closed), Izakaya Bincho (Closed), Komodo (Closed), Maximiliano (Closed), Sotto (Closed), Spring St Bar (Closed), Stella Barra Pizzeria (Closed), The Sycamore Kitchen (N/A)
Meatballs appear in alphabetical order instead of in order of preference. Some meatballs are subject to availability.
Bestia Beef Meatballs
At the buzzworthy California-influenced Italian restaurant led by chefs Ori Menashe and pastry chef/wife Genevieve Gergis, most dishes have original twists, and their Beef Meatballs ($13) are no exception. Top round, ricotta soaked bread ends, fennel, oregano, fermented chile, a hint of anchovy and pork fat all factor into their meatballs, which sport a good sear and arrive on an intensely flavorful bed of braised beet greens, sofrito, and tomato.
Culina Polpette
At the Four Seasons’ signature restaurant, Mette Williams took over for Victor Casanova after winning the Food Network’s “Chef Wanted” competition. Williams worked with Wolfgang Puck at Spago and Postrio and helped open L.A.’s SoHo House. Culina’s Polpette ($12) consist of American Wagyu meatballs, bright San Marzano tomato sauce, sharp Parmigiano Reggiano shavings and bright green crushed pistachios.
Huckleberry Turkey Meatballs
Turkey is not known for delivering huge flavor, but chef/co-owner Zoe Nathan is clearly quite skilled, since she’s able to make the lean, gobbling orbs crave-able. The turkey meatballs come in vivid tomato sauce, with arugula salad for balance and country bread to sop up the remaining sauce.
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Blog Comments
Sarah
July 7, 2014 at 10:04 AM
Not sure if Rao’s was open when this article was posted but it definitely deserves a mention. They have the perfect New York Italian style meatballs.
Joshua Lurie
July 7, 2014 at 2:08 PM
Sarah, Good to know. I think Rao’s opened right as this story was going live. I’ve had their meatballs in Vegas. Good, for sure.