French-Italian cuisine. Does it get anymore WeHo than this? Take a bite and see for yourself.
On a typically sunny Southern California Saturday, I across town for an early business dinner at the new Murano restaurant, located at 9010 Melrose Ave. At this suprisingly convenient nexus, where Doheny, Santa Monica, and Melrose meet, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I gathered that a plate full of spaghetti and meatballs wasn't on the menu as the images I had seen on restaurant internet sites displayed a stark white interior. So much so, I couldn't tell where the walls ended and the table cloths began. But once inside, the seemingly sterile environment was broken up by carefully selected accent pieces- a transparent glass red door, smooth red entryway carpet, red and black sconces and chandeliers, and contemporary polka-dotted lounge cushions. A very large mirror hung on the wall of the main window dining area, opening up the space and letting you inconspicuously see who is dining at the table beside you. And being seen is definitely on the menu at Murano
And being seen is definitely on the menu at Murano 
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Aside from the display of patrons in trendy Hollywood digs- wide open button-down shirts for the guys and short baby doll dresses for the ladies- the entrees made an entrance all their own. Mouth-watering dishes like the spiced and seared white fish, blanketed over a bed of yellow beets and creamy leaks, garnished with a drizzling of sweet and tangy orange sauce, a healthy portion of grilled salmon served with richly colored leafy greens and delicate white asparagus, made their way to their tables with the same style and grace of "Old Hollywood" screen sirens gracing Westwood premiers. Though, however pleasing to the eye, these dishes could have used a little less liberal tie-dye of flavor and a lot more classic black satin sophistication. What was left of my plate at the end of the night resembled a that of a doused and stirred campfire. Getting to the embers of fresh ingredients took a little taming of the flames due to the overwhelming amoung of salt and sauce that made me reach for continuous sips of water.
Overall, Murano had a distinct ambience that made the evening enjoyably easy to carry on a conversation, sit in a comfortably casual environment, and receive quality and friendly table service.
review by Sariah Richardson |
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