Carasau Pasta Bar — Restaurant in Los Angeles

We planned on having dinner at OSTE but discovered a 2+ hour wait without a reservation, so we decided to take a walk down 3rd street for an alternative. Suffice to say we hit the jackpot! We enjoyed the best dinner out in a long time, and we are "foodies", eating out often in LA, the OC, the San Fernando Valley and when we travel. We paused on the sidewalk to observe this new restaurant for a moment before deciding whether or not to take a look at the menu. We were immediately approached by a man I assumed was the owner, due to his uncanny enthusiasm and passion for the eatery. He described the unique approach that the menu offers its readers. He then stepped away politely so as not to pressure us in any way. We appreciated that, and both agreed that his charm had won its way into our decision making process. We ordered from the small beer and wine bar, then found our way to a nice table on the patio. Tabletops featured unique, intimate lighting units, and a few propane heaters made the rather chilly evening comfortable enough for us to eat without our jackets on. The focaccia bread was easily the best I have ever tasted. The texture and flavor of this incredible bread is "next level" amazing. I urge everyone to treat yourself to this baking achievement. I am serious here, it's a milestone! Our dinners were unforgettable. I had a mushroom pasta with meatballs and my wife thoroughly enjoyed a pesto penne with burrata. My pasta was cooked al dente to utter perfection. The fettuccini is house made by the wonderful chef who comes to us from Napoli, Italy. He made his way to our table as we finished our entrees, eager to hear our feedback. His passion, sincerity and humility were refreshingly apparent. He then sent the table tiramisu and cannoli desserts on the house, not due to any complaint mind you, because we had NONE, but rather simply as a generous and classy touch. It would be wrong of me not mention the wine! I tasted the incredible montepulciano and was delighted, so I ordered a glass. My wife took my word for it and ordered one as well. The pours were very generous, and complimented the fantastic celebration of flavors our palates experienced. I feel so strongly about the attention to detail and the commitment the staff has clearly made to doing their absolute best to create a memorable, highest quality, dining experience that I can't help but also feel compelled to share my observations. If you were to go out expecting this sort of treatment from a restaurant, you would most certainly be disappointed by virtually any of the many other restaurants considered "great" - it truly IS that rare. The other five star reviews here are on point, accurate and honest. Carasau is way too good to...

Close your eyes and you will get transported to the best trattorias in Florence, Rome or Sardinia. We were greeted by chef Michael and Maria whom are originally from Italy, they took care of us like if we were family. We ordered a Caesar salad, it was fresh, crispy and delicious. After salad we got fresh home made focaccia which was soft like a pillow and so tasty. Fresh pastas are made fresh from scratch and cooked to order, in a mix and match menu were you can create your own pasta or order from a specials menu. I got spaghetti a le Vongole - spaghetti and clams-. As one of my favorite pasta dishes I can tell that this is THE BEST I have ever had in my life, perfectly cooked al dente with the right amount of clams and a delicious white wine- lemon buttery sauce; it was heavenly.Wife got malloredus pasta arrabiata with a touch of cream, it was also delicious. Before we left, we got biscotti made with a 60 year old “grandma’s” recipe. It was the best finish for a great meal along with a good double espresso. Seriously this place serves the best pasta in all of LA and offers the best service in a cassual atmosphere. Do...

This restaurant is a solid 10/10 in every way. The food, service, and wine were all absolutely fantastic. The fresh, homemade pasta is a standout!!!! Cooked to perfection, with the most delicious sauce. You can even see it being made, which adds such a unique and personal touch to the experience.

The staff couldn’t have been more welcoming. Our waitress was incredibly kind and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. The chef was amazing, thoughtful, accommodating, and genuinely caring, especially when it came to my mom’s gluten allergy. That level of care and attention is rare and so appreciated.

Every detail felt intentional, from the warm atmosphere to the perfectly balanced taste of Italy in every dish. It’s the kind of place you’ll be thinking about long after your meal. We’re already excited to come back and we aren’t...