Cantalini’s Salerno Beach Restaurant Continues Family Recipes
Just a couple blocks from the ocean in Playa del Rey is a landmark that locals and tourist have enjoyed for the past 60 years. Cantalini’s Salerno Beach Restaurant was created by Giovanni Cimiro, a jolly good fellow who sold his restaurant to Lisetta Maria, whose family is from Abruzzi, Italy.
Lisetta has family recipes that have been popular for locals and tourist because of her grandmother’s recipes, handed down from generations.
Handmade pastas and sauces are the backbone of the Italian cuisine served at Cantalini’s. Their recipes along with the same warm experience Lisetta Marie experienced with her grandmother is experienced by customers who enter her restaurant. Lisa’s heritage is one that they are proud of and the recipes of her grandmother are prepared in their family tradition, cooked to order daily.
The culinary journey begins with some appetizers such as sauteed spinach with garlic and olio, sauteed in natural oil, lemon and garlic, The Bruschetta, topped with chopped ripe tomatoes, garlic and basil, is another favorite, along with the mixed baby greens salad with tomatoes and walnuts.
Tom Hallick one of those familiar faces seen on many commercials and his starring role as Brad Garret on The Young and Restless and his wife Yin Jiang, a concert violinist with New West Symphony and Andrea Bocelli were my guests. Both are avid travelers and expert food connoisseurs.
After partaking of the appetizers, we delighted ourselves with the family pasta recipes.
Tom Hallick ordered the homemade ravioli and a rib eye steak with a side order of pasta and vegetables. Tom has a big appetite. Yin ordered Veal Marsala, served in a wine reduction with a sefe of fettucini, garlic cream sauce and a tasting of Chicken Tortellini, served with peas and mushrooms in a tomato cream sauce. Ms. Yin ordered the Gnocchi Salerno, served with peas and mushrooms in a tomato cream sauce.
The two dishes were incredibly delicious.
“I haven’t had Italian cuisine like this for years,” Tom Hallick and Yin Jiang both said.
Cantolini’s Salerno Beach Restaurant is located at 193 Culver Blvd in Playa del Rey. For reservations, call 310-821-0081. Hours of operation are 11:30am – 3pm and 4 pm – 10 pm daily.
Celebrity Scene News awards 5 stars to this remarkable restaurant.
