"When you're here, you're family," was once Olive Garden's very catchy slogan. That catch phrase also applies to Sardelli's, a significantly more upscale Italian steakhouse in Hollywood. Whether it's your first or 100th time coming here for dinner, the staff will treat you like a regular. Contributing to this convivial atmosphere is the fact you're eating in a four-story house that underwent a $3 million renovation five years ago and is now both cozy and contemporary. What's more, the eatery is a family-run business, and owner Fulvio Sardelli Jr. is also the chef. How nice not to have to decide between pasta and steak. At Sardelli's, it's practically a must to order one of each. Get the cavatelli with braised veal shank in a truffle-butter-and-veal broth ($16 for a half-portion or $32 for full) as your primo, and order a USDA Prime certified Black Angus eight-ounce filet mignon for your secondo ($36). Another one of Sardelli's hits is the fried calamari in a delicious spicy tomato sauce ($15). There's nothing pretentious here, only homestyle cuisine in the most inviting of settings. Sardelli is open Monday through Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m.
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