Last week brought some good news for Italian restaurants in California, but especially in Los Angeles, where the Mediterranean-like climate is perfect for outdoor dining. (Mask on, of course.) On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom lifted the state-wide stay at home order, allowing restaurants to open for outdoor dining again starting Friday, January 29.

After the announcement, Italian restaurants, like the newly opened Sestina pasta bar in Culver City, posted about their outdoor dining set-up, letting customers know they are open for reservations to dine al fresco. Throughout the pandemic, pizza and pasta have proven to travel well, retaining their freshness as takeout, pick-up and a kit.