Romantic and Intimate da Barbara Brings Upscale Italian to Hollywood

Located just blocks away from trendy Tao and Beauty & Essex, is the new da Barbara which brings authentic Italian cuisine to Hollywood.

Chef Barbara Pollastrini has opened a beautiful intimate, just a handful of tables with a clear view of her small chef’s kitchen, restaurant in the heart of Hollywood.

Inside houses a two-story high ceiling 14-seat restaurant with dark green walls, wood floors, a huge, beautiful chandelier, upscale table settings including pretty glassware and plates and a tiny kitchen where all the magic happens.

We enjoyed a delicious seven course dinner including warm small rolls, homemade ricotta with roasted tomatoes; a small tart with mushrooms, beef tartare, caramelized onions and hazelnuts; gnocchi with guanciale, artichokes and grated egg yolk; pumpkin tortellini with orange and candied pears in a Pecorino Romano white fondue, a filet mignon rolled with Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano with seasonal vegetables and a licorice and mint semifreddo and cannoli with sabayon cream and apples for dessert. The menu is set so you just need to show up and enjoy a great dinner.

Chef Pollastrini is particular about both her ingredients, most coming straight from Italy, and her preparation which sometimes takes weeks for ingredients to be ready to be included in her dishes. She changes the menu regularly so guests can visit her small restaurant often and never have the same meal.

Da Barbara is the perfect place for a first date, for an impressive Valentine’s Day dinner, or to enjoy authentic Italian food with a friend. For larger groups, there are two big tables up the staircase. I plan to come back once every few months to enjoy this delicious cuisine straight from Rome.

Da Barbara is located at 6411 Fountain Avenue LW4, reservations at OpenTable. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 7 to 10pm.