Cosetta is the kind of Italian restaurant that makes you wonder if you should just forward your mail there and call it home. Tucked into a Santa Monica business center on Ocean Park, it’s the opposite of “office park sad salad”—this place is pure joy on a plate.

Chef Zach Pollack (a.k.a. the guy who trained in Italy and clearly took very good notes) has already proven himself at Sotto, Alimento, and Cosa Buona, and at Cosetta, he’s showing off with some of the best Italian comfort food around. Bonus: they’re now open for lunch, which means your mid-day carb dreams can officially come true.

The vibe? Beautiful space, a patio that’s dog-friendly (pasta + pups = heaven), and a staff that treats you like family—if your family actually listened to you and refilled your wine glass before you even noticed it was empty. Special shoutout to Wes and John for being absolute legends of hospitality.

Now, let’s talk food (a.k.a. why my heart and waistband both belong to Cosetta):

• House-baked bread with burrata – bread so thick and pillowy it could double as a mattress, plus burrata that deserves its own fan club.
• Peel ’n’ eat shrimp scampi – buttery, garlicky, finger-licking shrimp with toasted focaccia on the side to make sure no sauce is left behind.
• Smoked mozzarella sticks – these aren’t your freezer-aisle mozz sticks; these are crispy, cheesy, parmesan-dusted royalty with marinara as their crown jewel.
• Cosetta Caesar – comes with half a roasted chicken. Yes, HALF A CHICKEN. Forget side salad; this is a salad with commitment issues.
• Chicken Milanese – crispy, golden, and served with Thai checca for a fresh, zingy kick.
• Margherita pizza – simple, perfect, makes you want to write love letters to San Marzano tomatoes.
• Tri-tip – smoky, juicy, and straight-up satisfying.
• Peanut butter budino – rich enough to ruin all other desserts for you.
• Pressed ice cream sandwich – childhood nostalgia but make it chic.

In short: Cosetta nails the trifecta of food, vibes, and service. Whether it’s a weekday lunch or a big night out, this place is an instant mood booster. Go hungry, bring friends (or just your dog), and prepare to fall in love—one mozzarella stick at a time.