My flight for Berlin leaves shortly but I couldn’t take off without posting on my dinner last night with my buddy David Schachter at Il Grano in West Los Angeles. During the summer, Chef Salvatore Marino (from Naples) does an all heirloom tomato menu using fruit he grows in his yard in Hancock Park (Los Angeles). David and I did six small-plate dishes featuring the sweet solanaceae. Highlights were chef Salvatore’s tomato risotto with candied lemon peel and his “PBT”, a prosciutto, burrata, and tomato sandwich served on toasted white bread. The crudo was also excellent and the sepia-ink grissini were pretty darn sexy.
Chef Salvatore rightly calls his menu the “sagra del pomodoro” or tomato festival.
Salvatore’s playful take on the BLT, his PBT.
David brought 2004 Silex and I brought La Chablisienne 2004 Chablis Premier Cru. Both wines paired well with the acidity and sweetness in the many different types of tomatoes we tasted.
The sagra del pomodoro continues for a few more weeks at Il Grano. Definitely worth checking out.
Il Grano
11359 Santa Monica Blvd
between Purdue and Corinth
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 477-7886
Do Bianchi 
Very “Hollywood” pix with the soft-focus, ala Ava Gardner and Fay Wray..sweet!
Camera wasn’t working and so had to snap with the phone. Fun menu. On my way to germany AC. Speak soon.
Wow, gotta try that PBT! Sounds (and looks) fab!
Beautiful tomatoes. I’ve been enjoying a similar spread from my local farmers’ market all summer. Silex seems an inspired choice fot the menu, as well. How’d it work?
PS: Have a great trip. Rock ’em in Germany.
Il Grano, one of my favorite places!
Sal at IL GRANO has such a great hand with tomatoes and with fish he is a master! if you live in LA or just visiting, do not miss IL GRANO!
Have fun on your journey.