Toscanova

This Italian restaurant is located at the Westfield Century City Mall in Los Angeles. I've never eaten there before. My brother made reservations for 5 of us to support our friend Joyce Partise who was performing with Bill Brendle to bossa nova jazz tunes. This was the main reason for our having dinner there. It was cold and showering outside but nice and warm inside.

We ordered cocktails to start. The vodka gimlets were perfect. We ordered salads and calamari with zucchini to start. Sujata and I split an Insalata Carciofi e Frisee and Maurice had the Insalata Tricolore. While we enjoyed our appetizers, Joyce started singing her catchy tunes from her latest CD, My Brazilian Heart. Sway, Mas Que Nada, Waters of March to name a few made some of us want to get up and dance.

Our entrées arrived. I had the Pappardelle di Cinghiale and Sujata had the Pasta Arrabiatta. Gary had the Tagliatelle alla Bolognese. All three pasta's were mediocre at best. Even Gary mentioned that he has been there before and the pasta's were much better. Gunter just had the soup. Maurice was the only happy camper. He had the Brasato, braised beef short ribs. He had no complaints.

Dessert was Tiramisu (Sandi's favorite), and Tarte Tatin. The desserts were much better than their pasta. The dinner wasn't bad, it just wasn't that good. However, the entertainment made everything worth it. Even on this cold wet night.

Cheers to Joyce Partise and Bill Brendle! Check out her website at www.joycepartise.com