The Original Farmers Market on 3rd and Fairfax is getting a taste of Italy with the opening of Ettore Vino e Cucina. This new 100-seat full-service Italian restaurant is set to begin serving daily lunch and dinner starting Thursday, October 3, 2024. It stands as the largest sit-down dining establishment within the Los Angeles shopping landmark, according to an announcement on Eater LA.
Owners of the well-established Osteria Mamma on Melrose and Ettore winery in Mendocino are the driving forces behind this new venture. The collaboration came to fruition two years ago when Osteria Mamma’s co-owner, Filippo Cortivo, and Ettore’s managing director, Fabrizio de Falco, united over their shared passion for food and wine. Their joint effort has now culminated in a space designed by de Falco himself, taking inspiration from his southern Italy roots in Puglia and featuring an indoor-outdoor concept with sturdy wooden tables and vintage furniture sourced from Italy and France, as reported by Eater LA.
At the helm of the kitchen is chef Mònica Angelats Coll, who has a varied past that includes stints as chef de cuisine at Brera Ristorante and a pastry chef role at both the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills and the now-shuttered All ‘Angelo on Melrose. Coll was also behind the modern Spanish restaurant Flor y Solera, which opened in 2023 but has since closed its doors earlier this year. She crafted the menu in partnership with Cortivo and his family, focusing on traditional northern Italian fare with a division into appetizers, roasted vegetables, pasta, and large-format mains. Highlights include shareable plates like marinated olives, fried squid with citrus mayonnaise, and a crudo of the day, alongside slow-roasted vegetables enhanced with various cheeses, herbs, and vinaigrettes, as Eater LA details.
For wine enthusiasts, Ettore brings its range of organic and terroir-driven wines from its own Ettore Winery in Mendocino directly to the heart of LA. Fans of Merlots, Cabernets, and Chardonnays will find themselves delighted to pair these fine wines with the DeFalco family's authentic Italian menu, a culinary prowess honed at the renowned Osteria Mamma restaurant. This was evidenced by the details provided by the Original Farmers Market website. Ettore Vino e Cucina stands as the latest spot to savor genuine Italian flavors while immersed in the nostalgic ambiance of a 90-year-old LA landmark, promising guests an experience that seamlessly blends culinary art with a sense of historical place.
