Leopardo

Everything we got was excellent! Cesear salad Hello Satan Pizza Striped Bass Arugula Salad Rum and honeycomb Soft Serve You have to ask for the pizza because it's off menu. We asked for the honey on the side because we appreciate a a spicy pizza we used the honey on the side to dip the pizza in and it was perfect. The crust is unique and light, in a good way. The striped bass was very flavorful and had some fresh herbs paired with it. The chili flavor on the bass with the herbs were a star pairing! You could taste how flavorful, and fresh everything was here! Looking forward to coming back soon!

Dinner with a friend landed us at Leopardo after looking through a few options. Leopardo is located on La Brea and there is street parking out in front but I found residential street parking a couple blocks away. Simple enough but I can see it getting tough to find parking at times. The place is industrial but also welcoming. It was very open and I really liked being able to see the kitchen. We were seated at table near the front and while it was a bit weird and I wished for a partition or something, it wasn't too annoying. We started off with drinks and I got their Old Fashioned which was pretty solid. A bit unique with the tea but also not too apparent. My friend got the Filthy Martini and usually he enjoys dirty martini's but the addition of the clarified green tomato was just so strong that both of us were pretty put off by it but the server was very gracious and just replaced the drink with something else. I'd go with the Old Fashioned or the Negroni but if you wanna try the Martini, go at it but be warned.As for the food, we started off with the Wild Boar Meatballs, which were unctuous and delicious. Full of flavor, full of fat but didn't feel fatty. I would love to have this as an entrée on a bed of spaghetti. We then had the mains which we chose the Handkerchief Pasta which surprisingly was a fried (or baked) pasta that was crispy with a mushrooms in a red sauce. Unexpected for it to be crispy but as we continued to eat, we really enjoyed it and pretty much devoured it. The Bianca Pizza was the other entrée, which we chose to contrast the red sauce of the pasta. It was fine. It lacked a punch of flavor and even with the basil and the lemon, it was just a "fine" pizza. We also had a side of arugula, which was very acidic and was able to contrast the rest of the dishes.So all-in-all come for the drinks, come for the meatballs, come for the handkerchief pasta, come for the vibes and maybe come for other things on the menu that we didn't get to try.

The ambiance was nice. Pleasant. Everything else was amateur hour.I don't care how much something costs if it's worth it. Nothing here came close. Deer tartare can be delicious, unfortunately this was closer to slimy. Salads shouldn't be warm and wilted, right? And speaking as a pizza lover, they have a lot of nerve calling whatever the hell we ate "pizza." Sloppy. Greasy. Burnt. And the service? Well, they kept having to be reminded of what we ordered, but hey, they smiled a lot. Come for the ambiance, then leave and eat somewhere else.

I drove past this place a lot when I used to live down the road. Totally forgot about it until I was in the neighborhood again last week and had to make a stop. They have valet for $13 but we were able to find street parking across the street from the Target on La Brea. I was with a friend and we were sat at the bar almost immediately. It looked like the tables were all full so we were glad we were able to get a spot. We first ordered some cocktails. They have such a cute drink menu with very unique takes on classics. My friend got a Bloody Mary and I got a filthy martini that was made with clarified green tomato brine and "pickled things". Instead of the usual olive juice, the flavor tasted almost like a light, salty broth in the best way. I really enjoyed the complex flavor of the green tomato and it paired well with the pepper and olives it came with. I usually love regular dirty gin martinis but I might like this version better. Later, I also ordered an infused mezcal that came with a Bloody Mary back. The Bloody Mary was amazing. It is very different - barely any tomato flavor but a bonito soup flavor instead. My friend didn't like it as much as me, so be warned. These are remixed takes on classic drinks so they're going to be different.For food, we shared a Caesar salad and Napolotana pizza. The salad came with full leaves. Our bartender/server suggested we eat it with our hands but using a fork and knife was also fine. I really enjoyed the (house made?) dressing. That creamy anchovy flavor with the Parmesan was a delicious combination, as expected. The Napolotana pizza was also quite tasty. It came with olives and capers on a Neapolitan style pizza. The flavors were lovely and the crust was perfect. I love a good thin, doughy base that absorbs all the flavors of the toppings and a nice pillowy crust to go with it. The only thing was that it took a REALLY long time to come out. I want to say 15+ minutes passed after we finished the Caesar salad before the pizza came out. The people next to us who arrived, were seated, and ordered around the same time as us were done with their salads and pizza and paid and left before we got ours. Thankfully we didn't have anywhere else to be so we decided to wait. We checked in with our server once and he wasn't able to give us an update. It was quite a busy night and it's fine, but I would just keep this in mind if you're on a tighter schedule.Overall, it was a great experience. The interior is very classy and cute. It looked like they had a cute outside seating area too. Service was standard and the drinks/food were very good! I'll be back to try other cocktails, pizza, and items from the raw bar.

The food was great! The pizza was amazing, but the branzino wasn't worth the price. Definitely looking forward to going back once they reopen!

Unique pizza with a chewy, light crust and interesting flavor combinations. The Hello Satan pizza was my fave with its sweet and spicy kick that was enjoyable with the crust. Good to share with a small group. The Napolentana with the anchovies was just the right balance and not too fishy. Service was okay and could be improved on because the time from our salads and actual pizza was pretty long. The ice cream soft serve is surprisingly good. Very creamy with sweetness coming from the honey.

Stepping into this place feels like entering an 80s Atari game fused with a classic New York pizzeria. The interior is effortlessly cool, with a retro-inspired ambiance that immediately makes you feel like you're in for something special. Fun jams brought to you by the likes of the Brown Derbies (Everybody's Working for the Weekend) set the mood, and the huge wraparound counter creates an incredibly social vibe--perfect for mingling or just soaking up the atmosphere. And if you're a fan of bold dishes, the deer tartare is a must-try. It's adventurous but, shows the chef's knack for pairing rich flavors. This place is a gem for those who appreciate a relaxed fun vibe. Oh and don't skip the cocktails. Highly recommend the Dirty Martini. One of the best!

When there's a pizza on the menu named Satan's Hell....you just have to order it. It was a good time. I couldn't even tell you what was in it but it was greasy in the best way, full on bomb of flavor. To balance it out we got the the caesar salad - highly recommend if you like Caesar but don't like your lettuce cut up, it was kid of fun to eat that way.Cocktails are strong here, they are def heavy with the pour. Tasty and boozy, jist the way I like them. Service was just right, checked in a few times and left us to enjoy our time. Can't wait to be back!

When the bottom of the pizza is charred, black spots appear like a Leopard's spots. Hence the name. It must be Chef Joshua's spirit animal. Leopardo took over the last iteration of La Brea Bakery after it went all Costco. The decor is sleek, chic and on fleek to resurrect tired slang long passe by now, but it rhymed. A long White Marble Bar dominates the room and Randy dominates the Bar. You'll want to find him and park yourself in his section. Concrete, tile, and parquet wood floor help the cool 80's loop pump and jump around the room but the music doesn't eclipse the oohing and ahhing as dishes arrive. There is a civilized balance to the vibe here. Sitting at the Bar is the recommendation despite the leg dangle and the hard wood butt numbing seats. Setting the Bar: Out there and fortunately in here. Nine signature cocktails, a long list of short pours by the glass and alotta bottles. My Momotaru Bloody Mary was an "Everything Bagel" in a glass. A long tall single rock kept the juice cold and the ample sample of Chili Crisp mixed throughout the cooler kept it hot. Even though no well bred gentleman would think to drink a Bloody one after 11:00 AM that has nothing to do with me. And I'm glad I had it. Who's here? LA's fickle foodies, family and friends, and a few of us who enjoyed the entire menu twice at Republique up the street. It's like your first love who opens the door of your heart to love again, so, it's easy to love Leopardo from the gate. The Staff: Randy was handy and he added much to the meal. He was hip without a hint of being flip, so, if you can't decide, let Randy curate the experience for you. He doubles as the chief Bartender workin' the blender. Since the recent opening the slugs have been culled from the herd and the place runs with an enthusiastic and helpful crew to do it right and just for you. What's for dinner? The food is ambitious, capricious, and deleeshious. Chef Joshua is no stranger to Michelin Stars but he doesn't take it all that serious although the dishes coming out of the kitchen is all serious business. Aside from the stress of opening jitters and the stutter steps of a new place you can tell Chef Joshua is having a good time with his new creation. Half a dozen Shigoku Oysters from a Vibrio free zone in Moro Bay, Washington State. These brilliant starters were mighty meaty and ice cold under a spray of Mignonette and a small fork of Horseradish Granita. Theywere terrific whether you like'm neat or not. The Classic Caesar came with a Classic Caesar garlicky Dressing ladled over fresh crisp whole Romaine leaves. While it was definitely a classic it is not mixed tableside thereby eliminating the need to explain the need for a brace of Anchovies and a raw Egg. There was a line of perfect hand torn Sourdough Croutons lurking under the leaves. They remained crunchy and tasty until the Salad was hoovered. They could sell those Croutons buy the bucket and probably should. Spicy Meatballs appeared next. Served with a large spoon of chunky Heirloom Early Girl Tomato and Basil Sauce. A thread of heat will work it's way through your balls. The handball sized meatballs were fluffy and light. Suggestion: Save one to wrap in your Neopolitan Pizza which is coming soon. My Pizza had Anchovies, fior di latte (Milk's Flower...Mozzarel), Capers, Castelvetrano Olives, Oregano and Basil. Trust in the crust which is crisp and supporting a soft crumb and great char which had a slightly sour tang from it's fermentation. The thin undercrust toward the center gets squishy quick. Roll it up with the meatball you saved. The Handkerchief Pasta Lasagna was different, but what isn't here? It was surgically altered tableside. Under the Pasta you will find nuggets of Wild Boar and ingots of melted Mozz. (Aged Provolone might've been a better choice for this dish). The Mozz was brick thick turning it into glorified String Cheese. An extra cup of spicy Marinara cup comes on the side of the Lasagna although there is plenty in the dish to start with. I had high expectations that this would be special the next morning under a Farm Fresh Egg with a runny, jammy yolk over it. I was right. It was. The takeaway is that Leopardo makes the schlepardo from anywhere in town well worth it.

We were very excited to check out the newest restaurant by Joshua Skenes. Mostly because I am big sucker for Napolitano style pizzas but also bc Skenes's creds from Saison and Angler in SF. Leopardo did not disappoint. I read some negative reviews regarding poor service and being a new restaurant I'd expect some glitches. Luckily we didn't experience any of the unpleasant issues. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive. The food came out quickly and orderly. Their menu changes frequently and there wasn't any whole fish or steaks on the menu this evening. I probably wouldn't have ordered any of them anyway. All four of us are big time foodies and into gourmet cooking and we all agreed that these are the most innovative and probably the best pizzas we've ever had. And we've had pizzas from around the world. The center is thin and the outer edges super puffy with a slight crispness on the outside and soft and airy inside. The enter bottom of the crust stayed crispy the entire time. We couldn't get enough of the pizzas. We also tried several other dishes as well. The Cali-prese was a play on caprese with "briefly" sundried tomatoes and stracciatella. The flavor was great and the leftover juices were great for dipping the pizza crust in. The deer tartare had a good texture and the cracker with bone marrow helped enhance the flavors. The lasagna was served table-side with sheet (handkerchief) pasta, while a little untraditional, was made perfect with a spicy marinara (jalapeño). The only dish we wouldn't order again was the buffalo milk curds. It was runny and lacked flavor. This is a fantastic addition to the LA restaurant scene. I'll surely be one a frequent patron.