Tucked away on an unassuming corner of Brentwood Village, a little Italian osteria called Divino brims with the timeless charm of Florence, Italy. The restaurant, opened by Goran Milic in 1996, features simple decor as well as an open view of the kitchen, wood paneling, stacked wine bottles, and white tablecloths. Since its debut, Milic’s long-lasting dedication to the community has established a true neighborhood gem in the Westside neighborhood.

Originally from Montenegro, Milic bounced around Europe as a 17-year-old on the PVK Jadran professional water polo club. In 1985, he landed his first job as a dishwasher at a French restaurant called Michelle’s in London; a few years later, in 1987, Milic obtained a work visa to come to Los Angeles, moonlighting as a server at Club 22 in North Hollywood. He worked there for a year before transitioning to chef Giorgio Baldi’s now-closed Ristorante Lido in the Pacific Palisades.