Kettle Black

Silver Lake’s Sunset Boulevard has gained a welcoming neighborhood spot in Kettle Black, an Italian restaurant that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—it just makes sure the wheel is delicious. The space is clean and airy, with a covered patio perfect for sipping negronis while watching the neighborhood stroll by. It’s the kind of place that feels equally right for a casual weeknight pasta or a full-on birthday celebration with friends.

The real star here is the wood-fired oven anchoring the back of the restaurant. Everything that emerges from it—meatballs, pizzas, that incredible bolognese sauce—carries the distinctive char and depth that only live fire can provide. The menu reads like Italian comfort food greatest hits, from octopus crudo to cacio e pepe, but the kitchen executes with enough skill that familiar dishes feel fresh. The patata pizza is a standout, somehow channeling carbonara flavors without any pork, while the garganelli bolognese showcases what that oven can really do.

This is the kind of restaurant that slides seamlessly into your rotation. The servers are genuinely engaged and helpful, the vibe works whether you’re on a date or bringing the parents to town, and the covered patio is waiting for that perfect LA evening. You’ll find yourself stopping in for a quick glass of wine and pasta one week, then returning with a group the next.

Kettle Black won’t change your life, but it might just make your week a little better—and that’s exactly what a great neighborhood restaurant should do.