How Valenza Chocolatier started when a real estate businesswoman began searching for her real passion
Amy Jo Pedone, owner of Valenza Chocolatier, sits in a 400-square foot studio that she calls the Cioccolato Lab at The Hood Kitchen Space in Costa Mesa. It’s almost Valentine’s Day, one of her busiest times of the year yet she’s not haggard, she’s downright bubbly. But she’s a very different person than she was in the spring of 2007, attending a fa...
Little Italy Food Hall Named Among USA Today’s '10 Best'
A food emporium in the heart of San Diego’s Little Italy community has been named among the top 10 best new food halls in the United States, according to USA Today. The Little Italy Food Hall (LIFH) – located next to the Piazza della Famiglia, on West Date Street between India and Columbia streets – opened last summer. After only six months in busi...
Thursdays with Chef Michael Cimarusti
Seafood lovers, this is for you! What better way to discover California's best seafood, than having one of the most respected and acclaimed chefs preparing it! On February 7 and 21, enjoy a special seafood dinner prepared in front of you by two-Michelin-star chef Michael Cimarusti at Il Pesce Cucina. At our fish market-inspired restaurant, all of t...
Employees reflect on the legacy and singularity of Sotto, the now-shuttered Italian-food institution
And just like that, one of L.A.’s most celebrated restaurants shuttered. Last Thursday afternoon, co-owners Steve and Dinah Samson shared that their Pico Boulevard restaurant, Sotto, would close on Saturday—a farewell without much warning and fanfare, especially considering the restaurant’s storied success as one of the best Italian establishments...
The Trinchero brothers and their 70-year history in Napa Valley
Roger Trinchero has one foot in retirement. It’s time for the next generation to take the reins and he’s understandably a little tired of rehashing his family’s story, if not utterly exhausted from talking about white Zinfandel. The pink craze that predated rosé launched his family’s legacy of Sutter Home into fame, fortune and the wine history...
94-year-old Lucca Ravioli Company to close in SF’s Mission district
Lucca Ravioli Co., the 94-year-old Italian deli in San Francisco’s Mission District, will close on April 20. Business is still brisk at the deli, which specializes in sandwiches, fresh pasta and imported goods. But owner Michael Feno wants to retire, said the deli’s manager, who gave his name as Jim. “We’re still busy as hell,” the manager said. Lu...
Bruno Serato, lo chef italiano che fa da mangiare per i poveri degli Usa
Un italiano comanda alla Casa Bianca. Non è il presidente degli Stati Uniti ma il suo ruolo è ugualmente se non più importante per le migliaia di bambini poveri a cui ogni giorno regala un piatto di pasta ben condita. Si chiama Bruno Serato, ha 62 anni e la sua White House (chiamata così perché assomiglia alla residenza dei presidenti Usa) è un ris...
The best of tradition, innovation, and family business at the 2019 Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco
The annual Winter Fancy Food Show by the Specialty Food Association was back in the Bay Area, as the largest marketplace devoted to specialty foods and beverages on the West Coast kicked off, on January 13. It was 1952 when, for the first time, New York City hosted the just born not-for-profit trade association. Today, with two annual editions betw...
Michelin-Rated Italian Chefs Relocating to San Diego
The owners of Little Italy’s Civico 1845 are revealing more about their newest restaurant project that’s opening at the corner of 5th and Laurel in Bankers Hill. Brothers Dario and Pietro Gallo, who run the successful India Street eatery that features dishes from their native Calabria, Italy, will partner with a father and son chef duo who have a M...
Vinitaly International Takes the Cream of Italian Wine to the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco
Vinitaly International’s first mission for its 2019 tour took some of the best Italian wines to San Francisco, California, where the 44th edition of the Winter Fancy Food Show was in full swing from January 13th to 15th at the Moscone Center. For the third year in a row, Veronafiere and Vinitaly International spread the gospel of Italian wine cultu...
In Los Angeles "the truth is in (Italian) wine" with Vinitaly International Academy Ambassador course coming up in February
Vinitaly International in collaboration with Veronafiere are working on the finishing touches of the Los Angeles edition of the VIA Italian Wine Ambassador certification course next February andenrollment is still open. The re-formatted, tasting-intensive Italian wine course is taught by VIA Faculty Sarah Heller MW and Henry Davar, both experienced...
Così autentico! Little Italy spots that'll leave you feeling like you're in Italy
When it comes to finding a slice of Europe in San Diego, locals commonly look to the city's Little Italy neighborhood. From the traditional cuisine of pizza and pasta to new favorites setting up shop in the area, the neighborhood has its share of old and new to please visitors. But a big part of the area's charm is its Italian ambiance, in both the...