July 11, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

A Taste Of Northern Italy At Locanda Del Lago In Santa Monica:

Many restaurants come and go in a flash, so when a restaurant reaches a big anniversary, there’s reason to take notice.

This year Locanda del Lago marks 20 years at its location on the Third Street Promenade at Arizona Avenue. This is a prime corner that draws locals and travelers alike. It’s also right in the middle of the downtown farmers’ market.

Owner West Hooker-Poletti is a native of Milan and named his restaurant after the inns along Lake Como in northern Italy. The restaurant specializes in dishes from the Lombardy region of Italy, made with seasonal market produce.

A new executive chef, Gianfranco Minuz, joined the restaurant in October. Minuz is from Friuli-Venezia Giula in northeast Italy and has a long career working at restaurants in Italy and the U.S.

The restaurant’s menu has homemade pastas, risottos, pizzas, and entrees, many of which are indicated as Lake Como specialties. There’s also a section of small tasting plates like roasted bone marrow with crispy risotto cake ($7) and sun-dried agone, a shad-like fish from Lake Como, served with grilled polenta ($10). Look toward the open kitchen and you’ll see an additional weekly chef’s seasonal market menu written on a blackboard, along with a list of the farms that supplied the week’s market ingredients. At lunchtime a popular antipasto buffet can be ordered as an appetizer ($9) or entree ($14).

Try the Pizzoccheri alla Valtellinese ($18), homemade buckwheat pasta prepared fondue-style with Bitto cheese, roasted garlic, savoy cabbage and potatoes. This hearty dish reflects the culinary influence of Switzerland, which borders Lombardy.

Roasted chestnut and blueberry risotto ($20) is a new dish introduced by Minuz. The tart blueberries from Harry’s Berries pop in your mouth, balancing the nuttiness of the chestnuts and the rich chewiness of the rice grains that are stained a startling blue color.

One of the menu’s popular entrees is Chilean sea bass baked in a salt and egg white crust ($36). The crust is cracked open tableside, and the juicy, tender flesh that emerges is served with a colorful mix of sauteed,thinly-sliced veggies.

Something new that Minuz has brought to the restaurant is a whole animal dinner series he calls “morso della bestia” (bite of the beast), a nod to the snout-to-tail philosophy of carnivore cooking. The series launched in October with a six-course menu ($60) of a market greens salad adorned with lamb belly; sauteed lamb offals with grilled polenta; hand-cut pappardelle pasta with lamb ragu; and a garlic-thyme roasted leg of lamb. The monthly dinner is served family-style on the last Thursday of each month and includes unlimited house wine.

On the other hand, Lago also serves a Meatless Monday menu that includes fish but no dairy or meat.

“Our Meatless Monday menu was inspired by (film director) James Cameron, a long-time customer who talks so passionately about how much it would help our environment if everyone avoided eating meat just one day per week,” said General Manager Megan Sheehy.

Market-inspired desserts ($8-$15), gelatos, ice cream and sorbets are all made in-house. A recent dessert special on the weekly seasonal menu was a tasty northern-style ricotta cheesecake served with candied orange and vanilla sauce.

The wine list is extensive and includes a good selection of wines by the glass. There’s also a farm-to-glass menu of signature cocktails ($12-$14) like a Caprese Martini made with vodka, cherry tomato, fresh basil, and balsamic vinegar, and the George Clooney Martini – grapefruit, blood orange, Aperol, and gin (Clooney owns a villa on Lake Como, as do many other celebrities).

The restaurant’s interior feels rustic and cozy, but on a warm, sunny day the outdoor patio seating along Arizona Avenue makes for good people-watching, catching-up with friends, and enjoying what might come closest to a taste of Lake Como without ever crossing the ocean.

Locanda del Lago is located at 231 Arizona Ave. For more information, call 310.451.3525 or visit lagosantamonica.com.

in News
<>Related Posts

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...

Promenade Restaurant Introduces Lunch Menu Set at $18 Per Person

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The fixed $18 price point targets commuters and those seeking a power lunch or a change of scenery The restaurant...

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...