New Restaurant Alert! Alto Brings Open Fire Cooking to Studio City, and Michelin Noticed

The Valley has a new name to know. Alto, the open fire restaurant at 12969 Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, has been added to the Michelin Guide, part of a batch of 11 Los Angeles additions reported by Time Out in May and now live on the Guide's official site.

Alto describes itself as California's first restaurant dedicated to the flavors of the South American Pampas, cooked entirely over open flame. It was founded by executive chefs Esteban Klenzi of Argentina and Juana Castellanos Lagemann of Uruguay, both veterans of Michelin starred kitchens, and the menu is built around a blazing two tier hearth, from dry aged beef to a dulce de leche souffle the Guide's inspectors call out by name.

Photo courtesy of Alto

Photo courtesy of Alto

For those of us who have spent a lifetime eating up and down Ventura Boulevard, this one matters. Michelin recognition landing in Studio City is more proof that the Valley's food scene is not playing second fiddle to anyone over the hill.

Photo courtesy of Alto

Photo courtesy of Alto

Alto serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and reservations are recommended.

Alto serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and reservations are recommended.

This is an FJM Restaurant Opening Alert: a first look at a notable new arrival, not a review. We will be reaching out to the team at Alto for an up close and personal FJM feature.

I hope you're hungry. - Matthew Tropp | FJM.