The Mains
Sicilian Restaurateur Launches New Downtown Outpost
Restaurateur Andrea Provino is bringing Palermo-inspired restaurant Osteria Cotto e Mangiato to downtown’s El Cortez Hotel, with a focus on communal dining and shareable plates. The menu will feature loads of antipasti options, including bruschetta, marinated olives, and vegetables along with the classic caprese. Homemade pastas will also hit diners’ plates. Try dishes like pici cacio e pepe (spaghetti in a creamy Parmigiano and black pepper sauce) or paccheri gamberi (shrimp and zucchini doused in a rich vodka sauce). The osteria will also have more than 100 Italian and Californian wines on hand to pair with each dish.
Quick Bites
In honor of Filipino-American History Month in October, chef Tara Monsod of Animae hosts Filipino chefs from Los Angeles for a Kamayan dinner to raise money for the Karangalan Scholarship via a communal Filipino feast on Thursday, October 26.
Vinya, a wine bar and yoga studio, celebrates its first anniversary with a five-course dinner on October 28 at 5:30 p.m. Led by chef Coral Strong of Garden Kitchen, the meal will focus on local produce and come with five thoughtful wine pairings.
Second Chance Beer Company in Carmel Mountain gets into the Halloween spirit this weekend with a murder mystery beer-pairing dinner on Saturday, October 28. The three-course, nut-free meal from local caterer Chef Joann comes with four beer tastings, and diners will have the chance to solve crime in an 80s-themed murder mystery game.
Burger joint Balboa South is putting a spin on the classic “Toys for Tots” moniker with its “Tots for Toys” toy drive—participants can donate an unwrapped toy in exchange for a free order of the restaurant’s tater tots. The drive runs from Wednesday, November 1, to Thursday, December 14.
The Blank Table hosts their final multi-course dinner pop-up of the year on Friday, November 3, with a Día de Muertos theme. Janina Garay, culinary director of Be Saha Hospitality; Adrian Villarreal, partner and executive chef of Tahona; and Claudia Sandoval, celebrity chef on EstrellaTV, will cook dishes inspired by their grandparents and Mexican heritage and serve them alongside mezcal cocktails.
