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Met Him At A Bar
$$ · Italian

801 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 852-3321
Closed
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ZipPicks Awards

Best Italian in Mid-Wilshire Best Romantic Restaurants in Mid-Wilshire

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

Met Him At A Bar 8.3
Mid-Wilshire
Vibes: Date Night Magic Girls Night Out Approved Trendy Table Hotspots Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Across from its breakfast sibling, Met Him At A Bar is a compact pasta bar where rigatoni vodka, slow-simmered Bolognese, and shareable starters meet a tight list of wines and spritzes. The room is small, lively, and geared toward casual dates or friend meetups who want proper pasta without a white-tablecloth feel.
Must-Try Dishes: Rigatoni Vodka, Tagliatelle Bolognese, Crispy Brussels Sprouts
Scores:
Value: 6.4 Service: 8.4 Consistency: 8.6 Food Quality: 8.5 Atmosphere: 8.1 Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Lively pasta bar built around rigatoni vodka, shareable plates, and a fun, wine-forward atmosphere at a buzzy La Brea corner.
Who should go: Pasta fans wanting a casual but energetic date-night setting.
When to visit: Later evenings when the bar fills and the room hums.
What to order: Rigatoni vodka, Bolognese, crispy Brussels sprouts.
Insider tip: Bar seats are ideal for solo diners or couples who want a front-row view of the pasta line.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on La Brea and side streets is the norm; it’s workable before 7pm but tight during peak dinner hours. No valet.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans and a nice top fit the vibe; most guests lean slightly dressy for evening outings.
Noise level: Moderate to lively. You can hold a conversation, but the room hums once the bar fills.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; early evenings may see a short queue.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid options including salads, starters, and at least one pasta that can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited; a few sides and salads work, but pastas generally require modification.
Gluten-free options: Gluten-free pasta is available on request, but expect shared-prep conditions rather than a fully separate workspace.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The small room, warm lighting, and energetic bar make it feel intimate without being formal, ideal for a relaxed first-date vibe.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes. Walk-ins are common, but expect waits during peak dinner hours. Bar seating is the fastest option for smaller parties.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly. The space is compact and geared toward adults; older kids or teens may be fine, but it’s not optimized for young children.
Best For
Better for: Casual pasta cravings, lively date nights, and quick spritz-and-pasta evenings without the formality of full-service Italian restaurants.
Skip if: You want a quiet, spacious dining room, extensive menu variety, or strictly vegan/gluten-free options.

Hours

Monday4pm - 10pm
Tuesday4pm - 10pm
Wednesday4pm - 10pm
Thursday4pm - 10pm
Friday4pm - 11pm
Saturday11am - 11pm
Sunday11am - 10pm