Bottega brings homey Italiano food to Valencia St.
Bottega opened in the old Crepevine space on Valencia Street during the pandemic and started serving take-out, yet I never noticed them even though they’re less than two blocks from us (bad neighborhood food reporter, bad!), but I did espy them just before they started serving indoors/outdoors, a few weeks ago. The scoop is, they’re all scrappy,...
Sicilian Lessons at Bedda Mia on State Street
Alberto Morello never shied from proclaiming that his lifelong goal was to open a Sicilian restaurant in honor of his upbringing on that Italian isle. But who knew this pensively jovial chef behind the Olio e Limone family of downtown Santa Barbara eateries wanted to be a professor of history, art, and culture as well? In just my first few minutes...
Epic Italian food hall Eataly is finally opening its Bay Area location soon
After years of anticipation, Eataly is finally bringing a 45,000-square-foot, three-story Italian food haven to the Bay Area. The massive Italian food hall is gearing up to open its first Northern California location at Westfield Valley Fair in San Jose in the next few months, Eataly confirmed. It’s the first concrete news on the project since it w...
Where homage to tradition is transcendent: Cotogna in San Francisco, one of my best meals this year.
Since the late 1980s, Italian cuisine in the U.S. has been shaped by a tension between traditional- and creative-leaning forces. Remember the wave of “northern Italian cuisine” that came around in the Reagan years? “Sunday gravy” was out and polenta was in. The problem was that culinary interpreters often didn’t see these dishes in historical or cu...
Domenico’s Italian Kitchen will fill you up pleasantly
Domenico’s has always been my go to place for pizza in the local area. Almost invariably, I will gravitate to their Calabrese style (as done in Calabria, Italy, with a base of olive oil, garlic and cheese without tomato sauce), light cheese and an array of toppings including meatballs, Italian sausage, mushrooms, bell peppers and artichoke hearts a...
Italian-American Family Traditions Baked Into Holiday Favorite Pane di Pasqua
Pane di Pasqua, it is beautiful and decadent. The love and respect that goes into the process of baking it, transpires in the traditions carried on today. San Francisco is the home to many Italian-Americans and Easter is a reminder of the value of family history and roots in Italy. “See that, that is the perfume of my youth,” explained Franc D’Ambr...
‘Heartbreaking’: Iconic Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant Alioto's to close after 97 years
At nearly 100 years old, the landmark Sicilian seafood establishment Alioto’s Restaurant will permanently close its doors, the San Francisco Business Times reported. The institution has a rich, storied history in the famous port of San Francisco — and its closure marks the end of a family legacy. Founded by Italian immigrant Nunzio Alioto in...
The 14 best Italian restaurants in the South Bay
While it may be trendy to avoid carbs, let's face it, the majority of us without gluten issues have a genuine affection for anything made with flour. Italians are undoubtedly the greatest at carbs. Pizza, spaghetti, garlic bread, and cannoli — it's the stuff foodie dreams are made of. Both New York and San Francisco have long been recognized for th...
Experience California in the ’60s with this new SoCal Italian restaurant at Amoy Street
California Republic is a retro-inspired restaurant at Amoy Street serving SoCal italian cuisine. Decked out with chic yet homely retro decor, it’s bound to be a treat not only to your tastebuds, but also your eyes and soul. The team behind Southern California aims to bring the full SoCal experience to all customers by finding the perfect balance be...
Beloved, family-owned deli closes after 50 years of serving Newburgh
A beloved family-owned deli in Orange County closed Thursday night after 50 years in business. One by one, customers stopped by the Big 3 Deli in Newburgh just as they've done for decades. This time, however, it was to say their final goodbyes. "People are sad. I know. It's an end of an era," said owner Cindy Gironda-Post. That era began with Giron...
ElevenTwelve: A Taste of Italy Delivered to You
UC Berkeley is the origin of many stories, including that of ElevenTwelve, a lifestyle brand founded by two Cal football alumni, Giorgio Tavecchio and Vincenzo D’Amato (fun fact: their old jersey numbers inspired the name of the business). Together with Paolo Tempo and Davide Merlo, the duo united their experiences in American football with their l...
Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening Event Is Back with 2022 Edition In Los Angeles
The Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, the association representing over 500 wineries in Piedmont, Italy, is pleased to announce the second annual edition of Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening in Los Angeles. The upcoming event will feature the most recently released vintages of Barolo and Barbaresco, 2018 and 2019, respec...