The Taste of Italy is LA’s premier Italian food and wine event, It recently took place in Downtown LA next to Olvera Street. This year was the 10th time the event has been held and this year’s theme was Puglia, where Italy’s southern region forms its geographic boot.
The Pico House was a major part of the Taste of Italy
The event was hosted by the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA). Each year this organization does an incredible job at transforming the event space into an exquisite Italian piazza. The event volunteers perform a terrific job at providing plenty of tables and chairs. Trash receptacles were plentiful making this event more enjoyable for attendees.
My friend and I arrived about 30 minutes before The Taste of Italy’s advertised start time. We were glad that we arrived as early as we did because the line lengthened considerably during that time.
Music filled the air as we entered the transformed piazza. Each vendor already had their food and drink prepared for the hungry crowd. General Attendance admission provided six food and six drink tickets. As a result, my friend and I circled the venue to see how we would allocate our allotment.
Prova Pizza
Prova Pizza transported a wood-fired oven and prepared pizzas throughout the evening. They boast having a 100-year-old pizza recipe that has been passed down to the current chef, Vito Iacopelli. After eating a slice, I can vouch that the thin crust is tasty and the toppings are fresh.
Executive Chef Michelangelo Aliaga (Primo Italia)
Executive Chef Michelangelo Aliaga (Primo Italia) commanded attention as he worked the grill. He prepared grilled baby rooster with roasted potatoes. The rooster was quite enjoyable to eat. It was lean and moist and had a delicious smoked flavor.
IAMLA also made effective use of the ground floor of the adjoining Pico House. Additional food and wine vendors served samples and because it was inside, it was an area conducive for good conversation with each vendor.
Eastside Deli – lasagne & sausage and peppers sandwich
Creamy Risotto from Celestino Restaurant
Other items I enjoyed: Celestino’s Creamy Risotto con funghi misti (mushrooms) and gorgonzola cheese, Eastside Deli’s Italian Sausage with grilled peppers and melted cheese sandwich and a dry Prosecco Millesimato from Mille Vineyards
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- Squid Ink Pasta with fresh mussels, clams, squid and shrimp
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- Lasagne
The Prince of Venice is a Gourmet Food Truck owned by Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy. They served a Bolognese Lasagne and a Butternut Squash Casarecce, but what I really liked was their Squid Ink Shells. It was served in a cherry tomato sauce with fresh mussels, clams, squid, and shrimp. That was my favorite dish of the evening.
Be sure to mark your calendar for next year’s event. The 2019 Taste of Italy will take place on October 12, 2019.
Taste of Italy
Pico House, 424, North Main Street, Los Angeles CA 90012
iamla.org/taste-of-italy