Zach Pollack’s Italian American menu at Cosetta, his Santa Monica restaurant, blends playful naming with culinary innovation, offering dishes that balance familiarity with creative execution. The menu features items such as “chicken wings alla Buffalo, NY,” “bloomin’ radicchio lettuce cups,” and the “Hawaiian Sunrise” pizza, each presenting a distinct twist on classic or regional flavors without veering into parody.

Among the standout offerings are the mozzarella sticks, a carryover from Pollack’s former pizzeria, Cosa Buona, located in Echo Park. These mozzarella sticks are noted for their well-crafted balance between breading and cheese, featuring smoked mozzarella that is more molten than typical versions. Accompanied by marinara sauce, they evoke a sense of nostalgia while highlighting Pollack’s attention to detail.

Despite initially deciding against pasta due to the constraints of Cosetta’s compact kitchen, Pollack has introduced two baked pasta dishes. One is a freeform lasagna enriched with bone marrow incorporated into its Bolognese sauce, adding depth and richness. The other is a pasta shells dish, distinguished by its charred tips from the wood-burning oven and served with a distinctive combination of vodka and arrabbiata sauces.

Cosetta’s dining area includes a spacious, leafy patio softly illuminated, creating a pleasant environment suitable for groups. Pollack’s approach to the menu reflects both a respect for Italian American culinary traditions and a willingness to experiment within those boundaries, delivering dishes that are inventive yet grounded in familiar flavors.