Mama Drago in her kitchen in Sicily
"ciao" italiano
By
Bonnie Carroll
TANINO
DRAGO...IT'S IN THE GENES! The Italian Restaurant scene
in Los Angeles is amazing. This year I took a visiting friend
from Rome to the Beverly Hills Hotel for a ceremony
and trade show, where Celestino Drago was named
Chef of the Year and a bevy of Italian products
were on display. My friend was amazed that there were so many
Italian restaurants here, so many Italian products being imported,
and so many Americans who love Italian food.
Recently I visited a restaurant that has become a great favorite.
TANINO RISTORANTE AND BAR in Westwood is not
only a beautiful Italianate Renaissance venue to enjoy outstanding
food, but the chef/owner Tanino Drago is young,
fun and extremely talented. Tanino's father made all his own wine,
cheese and olive from scratch and baked fresh bread every other
day.
According
to Tanino, he never considered any other profession but being
a chef. "It just never occurred to me," he
said. Tanino's four brothers also pursued careers in the restaurant
business. In 1991 after graduating from the culinary academy,
Tanino joined his family in Los Angeles and worked with Celestino
Drago who owned Drago in Santa Monica.
With the support of his siblings he now is the owner/chef of Tanino's
with his brother and business co-owner Calogero
acting as general manager. Tanino's delivers exquisite and elegant
Italian cuisine that both comforts and surprises.
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Celestino
Drago |
Lasagna
di Zucca e Salvia,
pumpkin and Sage Lasagna,
Tanino Restaurante Bar |
Tanino
Drago |
Everything
at Tannin's is wonderful, but some of my personal dining favorites
at Tannin include Souffle de zucchini- miniature zucchini
souffles; Cozze gratinate-baked mussels; Insalata ai frutti de
mare-combination of seafood marinated with lemon, garlic, peppers
& olive oil; Cannelloni de vegetali o carne-vegetable or beef
cannelloni; Cotoletta di vitello con salsa di funghi-Rack of veal
with a mushroom sauce and for dessert . . .Tiramisu-Ladyfingers
soaked in espresso with mascarpone cream. Bene!!
For reservations call 310-208-2184.
MORE
L.A. DRAGO ITALIAN FAVORITES
IL
BUCO, 107 N. Robertson in Beverly Hills, offers a taste
of the true Italian Trattoria and Pizzeria. Charming indoor and
outside seating offers a view of neighborhood activity while enjoying
a menu of traditional Italian favorites. Il Buco is owned by Giacomino
Drago, brother of Tannino Drago. Menu items range from 5.25 for
soup to 19.50 for main course items. For information call 310-657-6028.
IL PASTAIO, 400 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills
is a delightful cafe style restaurante that features a variety
of antipasti, insalate, zuppe, paste, risotti and a creative selection
of secondi piatti and a daily selection of homemade desserts and
ice creams. The restaurant offers a Chef's tasting menu at $42.00
(dinner only) which includes soup, salad, pasta, ravioli, risotto,
main courses, dessert (2 guest minimum). Il Pastaio is also owned
and operated by Giacomino Drago.
DRAGO, in Santa Monica is owned by Celestino
Drago, who also owns Celestino on Beverly
Boulevard in Beverly Hills, as well as an another ll Pastaio
in Pasadena, California.
ARNOLDI'S IN SANTA BARBARA - The authentic Italian
restaurante and bar, complete with red and white table clothes,
on Cota Street. They offer a delicious menu of authentic homemade
family recipes, and a Bacci field in the back yard attracts real
Italians, who play their favorite boyhood game on Sunday afternoons.
For information and reservations 805-962-5394.
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Insalata
di Carciofi e Pecorino Stagionato,
Artichoke salad with aged Pecorino Cheese,
Chef Drago's Signature Salad
at Tanino Restaurante Bar |
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