GLENDALE, Calif. - (Business Wire) Guests can savor a rich menu of classic Italian cuisine and fresh contemporary fare at Trattoria Amici which just opened at The Americana at Brand. With its rustic wood and beamed ceiling, brick floor and large exhibition kitchen, the spacious restaurant is designed to convey the warm, welcoming feel of trattorias found in villages throughout Italy. Trattoria Amici’s unique design makes it equally suited for intimate dining and large gatherings alike, while communal tables add to the casual atmosphere. “Trattoria Amici is a great local restaurant, exactly what we envisioned for its premier location on The Green. With its warm ambience and well-known chef overseeing the extensive menu, it will be an appealing dining destination for residents and guests from throughout the region,” said Todd M. Russell, Executive Vice President, Leasing, for Caruso Affiliated.
Executive Chef Piero Topputo, who began his career in Los Angeles at Toscana in Brentwood, has created a menu that offers traditional, home-style favorites, as well as dishes with a contemporary flair. He attended culinary school in Gravina and worked at many local restaurants in the Tuscany region before coming to Los Angeles in 1991.
A focus for the chef is creating dishes using locally grown and seasonal items to ensure diverse, fresh menu selections. An Italian tapas menu is designed with tempting pairings from the restaurant’s extensive wine menu, which includes more than twenty by-the-glass selections. Guests will also be able to observe the creative process through the glass-enclosed exhibition kitchen showcasing the talented chef and his remarkable staff.
Rich materials and earthy tones in the interior’s design are offset by modern architectural elements. A contemporary lighting scheme and colorful abstract art add a playful touch to the restaurant’s rustic character, reflecting the blend of old and new that is the essence of Trattoria Amici.
“Our restaurant features a relaxed atmosphere, with a communal dining table in the bar, and casual dining throughout, perfect for couples or families,” noted Tancredi De Luca, creator of Trattoria Amici. “Selecting The Americana at Brand for our latest restaurant was an easy decision – it is a beautiful environment that draws people of all ages and interests from throughout Southern California.”
Trattoria Amici at The Americana at Brand is not De Luca’s only restaurant; he also helms Amici Brentwood, which opened in 2004. De Luca’s relationship with his executive chef extends back more than a decade, while both were at Toscana.
The addition of Trattoria Amici completes The Americana at Brand’s exceptional restaurant collection, which features 20 dining options to satisfy every culinary desire. More information about The Americana at Brand, including events and store hours, may be obtained by contacting The Americana at Brand Concierge at (818) 637-8982 or visiting online www.americanaatbrand.com.
Casey & Sayre, Inc.
Karen Diehl, (310) 473-8090
Ashley Greer, (310) 473-8090
