Erica's Picks: Vitello's Restaurant – Jazzy Summer Nights

Last year, Vitello's of Studio City went through a complete facelift, and rightly so. Vitello's had been plagued with the memory of murder for over a decade when Robert Blake's wife was shot to death outside the restaurant.

Gone are the dark days! Vitello's gutted the inside and opened it up for a great indoor/outdoor vibe perfect for late spring, early summer days. Enjoy jazz upstairs and now downstairs on select nights, plus great specials like ½ off wine bottles on Monday, and Wednesday Wine Tastings for $30 which includes appetizers.

The dinner menu has something for everyone, from classic dishes like Lasagna served in the perfect proportion – no big sloppy mess here – to hit-the-spot appetizers like fresh Burrata Caprese and bite-size Eggplant Parmesan Rollatini. If you opt for a fish dish, I highly recommend the Branzino. With a crispy skin on the bottom, almond crusting on top, all over a bed of zucchini tossed with Sicilian pesto, this light dish will actually fill you up.

If you were hoping to sit in the booth where ex-murder suspect Blake ate with his wife that fateful night in 2001, sorry to say the booth was removed to rid the place of bad energy. It was reportedly going on eBay for $1000.