Vento

Description
Everybody comes to Vento—models, ’burbanites, suits, scenesters and nobodies—and they all seem to wedge in at once. The wait, even with reservations, borders on torturous, but the coolheaded staff occasionally soothes tempers with complimentary glasses of prosecco and slices of pizza. Once you’re seated, more wine comes quickly. The menu is full of great distractions, too, like crudo of bigeye tuna dressed with olive oil, sea salt and slivers of jalapeño, or homemade tortelli stuffed with fresh ricotta in sage butter and a touch of balsamic. The desserts—squiggly zeppole tossed in cinnamon sugar with a citrus crème, or hazelnut semifreddo with an oozing chocolate center—will really make you forget the hour spent waiting.