I’m sure everyone who reads this is terribly familiar with the bloodletting of jazz clubs in the LA area the past few years. The Bakery is gone (someday to rise like the Phoenix? It’s in my prayers), Spazios, Henri’s and Charlie O’s have all closed their doors. With jazz (and nature) abhorring a vacuum, there are a couple places that have popped up to fill the void. Yes, we still have Catalina’s, and thank God for that, but running a close second, and making the competition keep the standards high is Vitellos. Actually, it’s Upstairs At Vitellos, as the club is on the top floor of the recently renovated restaurant.
I’m going to make a quick list of things I like and dislike about the club (www.vitellosrestaurant.com). I’ve been seeing some great shows there, so here’s a brief list for you to peruse:
GOOD NEWS:
1) The place is JUST the right size. Fits under 100 people, with a ceiling that is not too high, so you get a real intimate and cozy feeling as soon as you walk in.
2) You have a choice as to whether you want to sit along the walls in some comfy booths that are a foot above the rest of the place, and therefore have a nice view, or at one of the three long rows of tables and chairs where you (mostly) have a great and close seat.
3) The acoustics are WONDERFUL. Not too loud, and clear as a bell. Paul used to work for the Bakery, so he knows his way around the sound dials.
4) The cover charge is pretty darned reasonable. As low as $10, and as high as $35 for a big name, so it’s very reasonable.
5) They get some FANTASTIC artists, both local and international. Locals like Sara Gazarek , Poncho Sanchez, Tierney Sutton and Josh Nelson perform here, but you also get big names like Eddie Daniels, Lionel Loueke and Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. I’ve never seen a show here that hasn’t been less than stellar.
6) There is a POTENTIAL for free parking, if you get on the street. Otherwise it’s $3.50, which isn’t too bad.
7) It’s on Tujunga Blvd, which is actually a VERY hip street. 2 coffee shops, a fantastic gelateria, hip shops, cheese marts are all around for you to stroll over to, and you’re only a block away from the legendary Henry’s Tacos!
8) The noise level inside isn’t too bad. Less noisy than Vibrato; the waiters don’t block the view as badly as at Catalina’s, and don’t keep checking on you when you’re obviously there for the tunes.
MINUSES
1) There are a couple of poles inside the club that you have to navigate around a bit. It blocks the view for a few people, so you should get there early to make sure that you don’t have to maneuver around them
2) Like Catalina’s, you have to order some drinks and food along with the cover charge. The good news is that the food, Italian, is pretty tasty. However…
3) They used to have this “Pizza Vongole” which had clams and prosciutto on it that was TO DIE FOR and had the most unbelievable mixture of tastes in the world. For some reason, the cook stopped offering it, and I’m going to ask for it every time I go there until he puts it back on the menu!
FINAL THOUGHT: The musicians that used to hang out at Spazio’s and Charlie O’s are now here, which is something that we can be grateful for. If you want a good place for a musical date, this is the place!