The Pasta Party That Lives in Encino, California

"Find chef Phillip Frankland Lee's Michelin-starred Pasta Bar (stylized as Pasta|Bar) hidden on the second floor of a sprawling Encino megaplex anchored by a California Pizza Kitchen and a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Diners are whisked into a moody bar and treated to savory canapes and an elaborate cocktail made using a Japanese cold drip tower before taking their places in the main dining room."

"If you're seated in one of the 12 seats perched along a curved counter that faces an open kitchen, you have direct access to head chef DJ Nelson and his merry band of cooks as they prepare the evening's dozen courses. There's plenty of pasta, of course, along with homemade bread to sop up sauces and seasonal flourishes grown less than a mile away in the restaurant's garden."

"The tasting menu features 12 or so courses priced at $245 per person plus a 20 percent gratuity. Co-owner and pastry chef Margarita Kallas-Lee's crusty sourdough lands on the table first, intended to be had with every saucy course a la scarpetta. Keep it especially handy for oxtail agnolotti dolloped with rich and ethereal Comte espuma."

"Beverage options will satisfy both wine lovers and cocktail aficionados. The signature wine pairing runs for $135, and the reserve for $225; both feature mostly Old World pours that play well with the parade of pastas. Cocktail lovers can skip pairings and settle in with a well-made tipple or two."

Pasta|Bar is a Michelin-starred restaurant located on the second floor of an Encino shopping complex, featuring an intimate 12-seat counter overlooking an open kitchen. Chef DJ Nelson leads the kitchen in preparing a 12-course tasting menu priced at $245 per person. The experience begins with cocktails and canapes in a moody bar before guests are seated. Pastry chef Margarita Kallas-Lee's sourdough bread accompanies each course. Optional premium upgrades featuring black truffles and caviar are available for $100. The wine program includes signature pairings at $135 and reserve selections at $225, featuring Old World wines. Cocktail options include the chef's signature Old Fashioned variation with sesame, chocolate, tobacco, and black walnut. Ingredients include house-grown seasonal produce and premium items like oxtail, porcini, and Comte cheese.

Read at Eater LA