Frank's Bakery: Serving the upper crust of Italian bread since 1948
The trifecta of a good, traditional Italian meal is good wine, good pasta and, of course, good bread. What's a good bowl of pasta without that slice of garlic bread to go with it? Bruschetta would not be the antipasto we all know and love without the sliced baguette, toasted to perfection and rubbed with garlic for extra flavor. Many times...
Cal-Ital: Italian grapevines in California
By Bill St. John Beginning shortly after the unification of their country in 1861, millions of Italians immigrated to this country and to Canada and countries in South America. Many brought grapevine cuttings with them. Never be surprised to see an Italian surname among the descendants of those immigrants making wine in the Americas today...
Cioppino's making itself at home at Fisherman's Wharf
Nick Hoppe and his family have run businesses at Fisherman's Wharf for more than 30 years, including one of the highest-grossing restaurants, Cioppino's, for close to 20. Yet Hoppe still often feels out of place in the neighborhood. "He just feels like such a rookie among all these older established families," says his daughter, Taryn Hopp...
Valentino off the market; it was "a moment of frustration" says Piero Selvaggio
By Russ ParsonsSouthern California landmark Italian restaurant Valentino is no longer on the market. In fact, says owner Piero Selvaggio, it's at a new beginning. Starting in September, Selvaggio says, the restaurant will unveil a new menu, focusing on the cooking of Sicily and Sardinia, the home islands of himself and his chef Nicola Ches...
Tione's on Main, an Italian restaurant and deli, opening in downtown L.A.
Inspired by East Coast delis and red sauce Italian restaurants, Tione's on Main, part of the Medallion development in the Old Bank District of downtown L.A., will open its doors on Monday for lunch service. Tione's is a tribute from Executive Chef Christian Page to the food he ate growing up in Stamford, Conn. Page is currently the executi...
Terra Mia Pizzeria Keeps the Pizza Faith
By Gustavo Arellano One wonders what reservoirs of resolve the owners of Terra Mia Pizzeria in Laguna Hills drew from to open this spot. It's in Laguna Hills, for starters, a city that's actually quite underrated as a food town (hosting Break of Dawn, Villa Roma, Colombian Kitchen and Mercado Corona is a great start)—but it's still Laguna...
Lombardi Family Concepts Opens Taverna Laguna Beach
by Kelli Jean Lombardi Family Concepts', Alberto Lombardi and developer Bill Hutchinson have announced the newest Lombardi Family Concepts' restaurant – Taverna Laguna Beach. The new 4,500 square-foot restaurant will open on February 25, 2016, in the heart of Laguna Beach. "We are thrilled to open Taverna in Laguna Beach," Lombard...
Mediterranean Diet Roundtable: More Than Food, It’s a Way of Life
The Mediterranean Diet Roundtable (MDR) landed in Los Angeles, for its second edition (Beverly Hills Library, April 20-21). In 1975, the eminent American biologist, Ancel Keys and chemist Margaret Keys (his wife and collaborator), drew general attention to the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, particularly for the cardiovascular appar...
Bobby's South Bay Italian caters to adults and children
by Megan Garringer Sometimes, it can be hard for parents to find a restaurant that both they and their kids enjoy, but Bobby's South Bay Italian has solved that problem for South Bay families since its opening last year. While there isn't an official kids' menu, half-servings of many dishes can be prepared and everyone in the family will enjo...
Italian Flair Comes to The River at Rancho Mirage
The River at Rancho Mirage has become a central meeting place to take in a movie, grab a coffee, stroll through retail shopping and grab a meal at one of the many restaurants located in the outdoor center. If you haven't been in a while, there are several new reasons to visit and for established fans, the restaurants and shops continually offer new...
A.G. Ferrari Foods hires new CEO, plans to expand
Hoping to revitalize its brand, A.G. Ferrari Foods hired a new CEO — Jarett Peppard — and is making other changes as it prepares to move into its recently acquired Alameda headquarters next month. Peppard, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America who has more than 20 years experience in the grocery industry, will take over as CEO of the 95-...
At Scopa, Antonia Lofaso delivers zesty Italian American food
It's pleasant, Saturday brunch at Scopa Italian Roots, a bit of calm compared with the roar of nearby Abbot Kinney Boulevard. The filtered sunlight in the double-height dining room feels like late afternoon, although it is just after noon. Big tables of neighborhood regulars, so loud late in the evening, are polite, almost subdued. It is h...