Over a period of decades Melrose avenue in Los Angeles has always been a haven for good restaurants.
When we discovered Franco on Melrose last evening we found that this trend still continues.
Stepping into Franco is like moving from California to a restaurante in Southern Italy.  In decor and ambiance it offers a comfortable look at the old world.
And the traditional southern Italian cuisine of Owner-Chef Franco de  Dominicis completes the scene.
We had to try some of the appetizers including Polipo Grigliato with grilled octopus, crunchy potato and Calabria peppers, then Polpette, pork and beef meat balls  in a tomato basil sauce and Involtini, baked eggplant rolled with ricotta.
Moving on to pasta there was ravioli zucca with roasted butternut squash and a brown butter sage sauce
followed by Paccheri, braised oxtail ragu with Fava bean Parmiggiano. 
Titled Branzino, this Mediterranean  fish entree came with spinach roasted Yukon potatoes.
And yes we could not leave without trying the Vanilla Bean Panna cotta with fresh berries for dessert.
Franco on Melrose is located at 6919 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, open seven nights a week from 6 p.m.  Telephone 323 934-3390, web, www-francoonmelrose.com