March 29, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Locanda Del Lago Goes Goose At Its ‘Bite Of The Beast’ Series:

Since October 2011, Italian-restaurant Locanda del Lago on the Third Street Promenade has been hosting a monthly series called “Morso della Bestia,” which translates to “Bite of the Beast.”

It is a five course dinner that highlights the use of the whole animal for cooking, not just the best pieces or cuts where the rest of the animal is trashed.

General manager Megan Sheehy said the concept is a return to tradition over trends as well as a green movement to use all parts of the animal, not be wasteful, and, in some small way, lessen the animal product footprint by being thorough in its complete use.

“Traditionally, Italian cuisine, European for that matter, utilizes every part of the animal for different necessities of the meal,” Sheehy said. “The bones are always used for stock, the innards for a pasta ragu or filling, and the ears and cheeks for sauce flavoring, etc. We always feature a sustainable, all-natural protein. We have done lamb, venison, Virginia Striped Bass, buffalo, and suckling pig to name a few.”

At the most recent dinner series on Jan. 31, the restaurant featured the Grimaud Farms Goose.

Sheehy said goose was a very typical holiday feast in Italy, so its Executive Chef Gianfranco Minuz created a menu as a way of saying goodbye to the holidays and starting the year off to a great beginning.

The menu included a carpaccio of goose (raw meat), a ground goose pappardelle pasta, a goose consommé (soup), and a roasted goose breast, followed by an almond and bosc pear torte with mixed berry sauce for dessert.

Minuz said goose was a difficult animal to debone, but it has a wonderful flavor.

“From the fat, which is one of the most delicate of all animal fats, to the tremendously flavorful bone stock to the tender breast, it is a wonderful animal with lots of character and flavor,” he said.

“For the carpaccio, it is rubbed with a spice, refrigerated in cylindrical form, allowing it to be sliced ever so thin that it melts on the tongue. The caraway seed dressing adds a nuttiness to the meat and the fennel partakes a crunchy freshness so when all combined it is perfectly balanced on the palate.”

He said the consommé takes hours and hours to produce.

“The bones are slow cooked so every bit of flavor is given to the broth, then it is strained multiple times allowing the perfectly clear broth to be used, no particle left to disturb its eloquent transparency,” he said. “Adding some dry red wine and onion allows the full essence of flavor to shine through in the soup.”

The “Bite of the Beast” series is kept intimate: generally there are 15-20 guests at the dinner.

The restaurant offers a communal table for guests so they can interact with others diners taking part in the feast; guests are also free to have their own separate table for the evening if they choose.

Chef Minuz always comes out and does the final carving or preparation for the main course in the dining room for all attendees to see before he walks the room for a meet and greet.

Sheehy said the items on the “Bite of the Beast” series are only available for one night, which makes it a truly special and unique experience.

On Feb. 28, the restaurant will be feature Niman Ranch Venison from Montana. On March 28, the restaurant will feature an all-natural Colorado lamb for the whole animal dinner series.

Valentine’s Day 2013

With Valentine’s Day this Thursday, the restaurant will feature a romantic four and five course menu to choose from in addition to a limited a la carte menu.

This special menu will begin today, Feb. 8 and be available through Saturday, Feb. 16.

The extended offering of the menu was created for guests who don’t want to fight the Valentine’s Day crowds, or by chance have to work, or are in the hospitality business, so they too can enjoy the romance of the restaurant with the special menu.

Locanda del Lago is located at 231 Arizona (at Third Street Promenade) in Santa Monica.

For reservations or more information, 
call 310.451.3525 or visit www.lagosantamonica.com.

in News
Related Posts

Customers at These Palisades Stores Can Get Cash Rewards for Sharing Their Experience

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Thumzup is Starting its L.A. Footprint Expansion with Pacific Palisades Thumzup, a company which aims to democratize the social media...

Homeless Man Sentenced to State Prison for Crimes Against Homeless Women

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Man Pleads No Contest to Series of Sexual Assaults Anthony Pittman, currently homeless, has pled no contest to a series...

(Video) Series A Coffee Now Open in Beverly Hills at 8328 Wilshire Blvd

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Located in the space that formerly housed a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Try the Black Pearl Iced Coffee. @smmirrornews...

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Hotel Workers to Speak Out on Harassment Endured at Santa Monica Hampton Inn

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

The Hotel Is One of Five Hotels in the Charter City That Are Still in a Labor Dispute By Zach...

Santa Monica Rotary Club Raises Over $21,000 for SMC Guardian Scholars Program

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

This Grant Will Provide Essential Support to Current and Former Foster Youth Enrolled at the College The Rotary Club of...

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....