Galletto Bar & Grill
Brazilian-Italian Fare in Westlake Village
By Julie Stankowski
Galletto Bar & Grill
982 Westlake Blvd.
Westlake Village, CA 91361
805/449.4300
Hours
Mon-Thu 11:30am-12am
Fri-Sat 11:30am-12:30am
Sun 4pm-10:30pm
Serving up a unique blend of Brazilian-Italian fare, Galletto Bar and Grill in Westlake Village should be on your go-to list of Uptown restaurants. A favorite of many locals, Galletto offers consistently delicious food, an exceptional yet reasonably-priced wine list, and an upbeat atmosphere. Live music and a festive bar scene for a variety of age groups add to the allure.
The space itself, while relatively small, conveys a mood similar to that of a jazz club. Beneath the dim lighting sits a traditional bar adjacent to the dining tables and a corner stage for entertainment. Two flat screen televisions mounted above the bar are visible from much of the restaurant. One note: the tables are set very close to each other and the restaurant tends to get loud later in the evening. So, if you’re looking forward to a private conversation, you may opt to dine al fresco on the covered and heated patio which affords a quieter, more romantic ambience.
With so many selections, the eclectic menu can be hard to navigate. Are you craving a crisp salad and perfectly cooked al dente pasta, or are you in the mood for Brazilian empanadas and mesquite grilled steak? Tough choice. My all-time favorite dish is the Farfalle Al Salmone: bow-tie pasta with smoked salmon, peas, and a splash of vodka in the light pink sauce, which I find heavenly. It is light but decadent and feels like an upscale version of comfort food. On my most recent trip, however, I went with the chef’s Brazilian recommendations. I started with the Brasiliera salad: lettuce, watercress, hearts of palm, avocado, and onion in a balsamic-Dijon vinaigrette. It was artfully presented and the perfect combination of creamy and crunchy.My husband and I then shared the Churrasco Brazileiro: an enormous platter of mesquite grilled meats (and jumbo shrimp), including tenderloin, sausage, skirt steak, braised beef, and “galletto,” which means young rooster. The meats were tender and tasty and ultimately perfected when coupled with the chef’s “secret” sauce, served on the side. Also on the side were black beans, rice, roasted potatoes, and vegetables. This entrée, at $69.95, is meant to feed up to four people and is a satisfying value. The dessert tray includes an assortment of seasonal desserts, as well as traditional favorites like Tiramisu and ricotta cheesecake.
In terms of libations, Galletto has a full bar and an impressive wine list. Try Brazil’s most popular cocktail, Caipirinha, a refreshing concoction of Leblon Cachaca, lime, and sugar. Prefer Chianti or Chardonnay? Here you will find over 100 varieties of regional wines from Italy and California. Notably, they also offer super premium wines by the glass, including Brunello and Barolo. A glass of house wine is $8.00 at dinner, with bottles starting at $33.00. Speaking of prices, Galletto has a happy hour at the bar Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. with well-priced drinks and over 25 popular menu items at 50% off. Enjoy the Carnival!
