The Italian Roots of L.A.'s European Inspired Cuisine
You probably couldn't mistake an Italian grandma in New York's Little Italy, nor question her Sunday gravy. In Montreal, there's that je ne sais quoi about the Québécois and their chocolate-covered confections called Whippets. But Angelenos, whether natives or transplants, carry an amorphous identity, and their culinary badges are just as undefined...
Pappalecco brings a 'Tuscan home' to Carmel Valley
Pappalecco has opened in Del Mar Highlands Town Center, bringing a true taste of Tuscany to Carmel Valley. Now with his sixth San Diego location, Pappalecco's Chef Lorenzo Bucci credits his success to the simplicity and authenticity of the food – from gelato to panini and pastries – and the welcoming smiles of his staff. Bucci, who co-owns the res...
Guest Chef Shares Garden-To-Table Cooking with Lajollacooks4u
Lajollacooks4u welcomed Chef Mario Ascione of Caffe Macaroni into their kitchen for some chef-to-chef cooking. The result: a complete San Diego foodie tour and a cooking marathon with a garden-to-table focus. Chef Mario Ascione of San Francisco's Caffe Macaroni ventured down south for a three-day vacation to explore San Diego's food scene....
Brio Tuscan Grille brings fine Italian dining to Victoria Gardens
By David Cohen Brio Tuscan Grille, an upscale chain of Italian restaurants inspired by Tuscany, now has its first California location in Rancho Cucamonga at Victoria Gardens. The decor is reminiscent of Italian fine dining establishments in Las Vegas, where Brio had originally opened. There's a large bar area and an outdoor patio...
Mike Hale, The Grub Hunter: Rethink Italian at Cantinetta Luca
by Mike Hale When Americans dream about Italian food, they invariably flash on pots of simmering marinara, long strands of dried spaghetti, pepperoni pizza and bottles of cheap Chianti wrapped in wicker. (They call that straw bottle a fiasco — a fitting name when you consider our clichéd notions about real Italian food.) My dream...
Caffè Dolci: An Authentic Italian Dessert House
For those who have traveled at least once to Italy and indulged in the genuine flavors of La Dolce Vita, there is finally a new place in The City where you can find authentic desserts and many more unique delicacies. Inspired by her extensive travels to Italy and Europe, owner Aliah Warmund of "Caffè Dolci" brings the experience of a real...
Francis Ford Coppola Winery is a area for family members to take pleasure in and judges to feast
“A person who does not shell out time with his family can by no means be a serious guy.” — Don Vito Corleone, “The Godfather”. It looks Francis Ford Coppola shares some of Don Corleone’s values. At least in which loved ones is involved. At his eponymous winery in Geyserville (the site of the former Chateau Souverain), Coppola creates a gor...
The VINO CALIFORNIA Grand Tasting – 12 May
The VINO CALIFORNIA Grand Tasting is the ultimate celebration of Italian wine. Featuring exclusively native varietals, this walk-around tasting promises an authentic Italian experience with each sip. Join VINO CALIFORNIA and pay homage to Italy's rich winemaking heritage. Discover the incredible array of traditional and rare varietals prod...
Rita's Italian Ice plans 75 Northern California locations, including Sacramento
by Mark Anderson With more than 600 stores in 25 states, Rita's Italian Ice has been offering cool treats since 1984. Now it wants to bring its ices, custards and sundaes to Sacramento. Santa Cruz County-based East Bay Ice Empire Inc. was awarded a franchise development agreement to open at least 75 Rita's stores over a period of years in...
Castellani Wines Showcased at Convivio Center
Convivio Center, a gathering place where residents and visitors are invited to explore the art, culture and history of San Diego's Italian community, welcomed Luca Forte, Director of Castellani Wines USA to Convivio on Friday evening November 15th. Guests will be introduced to six Tuscan varietals during their wine tasting, an experience e...
Love pizza? SLO’s new Italian restaurant is rising to the occasion
The power of the new Flour House restaurant in San Luis Obispo rises from its commitment to authentic Neapolitan cuisine. For proof of that, just bite into one of the thin-crust pizzas, savor from-scratch pasta dishes or sample a daily special of braised osso buco served over risotto Parmigiano. Envisioned by the husband-and-wife team of A...
New Desco brings a dash of fine-dining Italian flair to Old Oakland
When Italian-born executive chef Donato Scotti decided to open a second venue to complement his home-country regionally inspired four-year-old Donato Enoteca in Redwood City, he settled on Old Oakland. His new restaurant, Desco, which translates from Latin as "dinner table," adds to Oakland's growing list of destination spots worth the sho...