Marina Pasadena gathers the community to honor Italian cuisine
Owners Nader Kaiser and Gustavo Landgrebe had a vision when opening their Italian restaurant, Marina Pasadena, in September: to create a neighborhood gathering place where customers can enjoy good wine and flavorful food.“It’s not just the simplicity of ingredients, but the quality of the ingredients,” Kaiser said. “We are honoring the beauty of It...
Say ciao to Italian trattoria Café Villa in San Rafael
Marcello and Stephanie Fonio, co-owners of the Villa Inn on Lincoln Avenue just north of downtown San Rafael, have recently opened Italian trattoria Café Villa in what was a Basque restaurant in the late 1900s and a bar and continental breakfast venue for overnight guests in the early 2000s. The kitchen is helmed by chef de cuisine David Sypnicki,...
J. Marchini Farms mourns founder
Joe (Giuseppe) Marchini, who founded California-based J. Marchini Farms specializing in radicchio and Italian specialties, died Dec. 28 surrounded by family. He was 84. Joe in a fieldMr. Marchini’s farming career may have ended with radicchio, but it all began with tomatoes. His parents, Florindo and Elisa Marchini, made a long and uncertain journe...
Food Network stars to debut Italian restaurant at California ski resort
A pair of Food Network stars, who happen to be related, are gearing up to open a joint restaurant in California's Sierra Nevada next month. Chefs and brothers Michael and Bryan Voltaggio, who star in the Food Network show “Battle of the Brothers,” are opening an Italian American restaurant called Vulcania, which is slated to open in The Village at...
How to love lasagna in L.A. as an enthusiast rather than a purist
My colleague Jeff Amlotte makes excellent lasagna. It’s in the vein of the 9 x 13 pans my mother used to make, heavily sauced noodles with curly edges, a filling of ricotta cheese and plenty of melted mozzarella on top. It’s deeply satisfying, and it got me thinking about lasagna in Los Angeles. There are plenty of places offering the Americanized,...
Ambrogio15 Enoteca debuts in La Jolla
Ambrogio15 Enoteca, an Italian wine bar, bottle shop and gourmet market, opened last month in the former Ciao Ciao Piadina space in La Jolla. The new Enoteca is owned by Giacomo Pizzigoni and Andrea Burrone of the Milano Five restaurant group, which also operates the Acquerello by Ambrogio restaurant in La Jolla and Ambrogio15 pizzerias in Pacific...
The Dynamic Duo Behind Rossoblu Is Opening a New Italian Restaurant in Playa Vista
After establishing himself at Sotto, chef Steve Samson has always wanted to return to the Westside. His popular Downtown LA restaurant Rossoblu has gained recognition over the years for serving a Bologna-inspired menu of wood-fired meats and stellar pasta, but now he and wife Dina Samson are partnering with Heidi and Alan Jackson at the former Bull...
Where To Eat Regional Italian Cuisine in NY, LA, and San Mateo
The appeal of Italian cuisine is undeniable. For many, very few things satisfy like a plate of pasta, a pizza, or a caprese. After years of mass emigration, globalization, travel and political upheaval, much of “Italian” cuisine outside of Italy has become unrecognizable. Over the years we've found a number of places where the chefs are trying to r...
Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Announces Winners of Los Angeles "Original Balsamic Week"
The debut event dedicated to Italy's "Black Gold" unfolded from October 31st to November 6th and featured partnerships with prominent restaurants spanning the city, whose chefs dished out original dishes showcasing the Italian staple. Voted on via the restaurants' social media channels, the winners of LA Balsamic Week 2022 are La Puglia (Wood-fired...
The Indy Endorsement: The Cannelloni at Palmina by Puglia
Foodie friends were upset when Venezia—a much-loved Italian restaurant at Palm Canyon and Racquet Club drives in Palm Springs—closed last year. However, sometimes things just work out: The Italian restaurant that opened in the same space soon thereafter is even better. Palmina by Puglia is owned by the same folks who run Puglia Italian Restaurant...
You Can Ski to This Buzzy New Restaurant at California’s Most Famous Ski Resort
When it comes to wintertime excellence, few mountains can compete with Mammoth. The California ski resort, in continuous operation since the mid-1950s, has long been a destination where skiers and riders can count on excellent snow conditions. In fact, the mountain is beloved for its extended seasons, often starting in early November and sometimes...
Caioti Pizza Café
CAIOTI PIZZA CAFÉ IS ONE pizza joint that isn’t known for that dish at all. In fact, chef Ed LaDou’s claim to fame is an accidental “miracle” food. In 1993, a pregnant woman well overdue came in and ordered the café’s Romaine and Watercress salad. The next day, she went into labor. Believing the salad was the cause, she recommended the restaurant t...