No, we did not board an Alitalia flight to Rome for dinner last night. We did the next best thing; we had dinner at Aliotta's Via Firenze in next door Torrance!
Beautifully and quaintly decorated the dining room features a faux balcony around two walls with wine storage below them. Very, very much sparkling white tablecloths and impeccably groomed servers.
To our mutual amazement, owner Mike Aliotta recognized us! He cited our last visit (maybe 6 weeks ago), agreeing with me that this was the same table we'd had then; went on to say that I like sparkling prosecco and had two glasses of Muscato; asked to switch out the spinach for angel hair pasta in my order...
It was early and staff wasn't that busy so Mike continued our conversation. Born in Sicily, he came to America in 1984 and opened Aliotta's in 1999. That when Toyota went elsewhere so did a lot of his business. He pointed out a son, another relative and stressed that it is a family-owned and run business.
Richie then and tonight cleaned his plate, willingly foregoing next night's leftovers for dinner tomorrow night.
We started with a Caesar salad and when they arrived - yes, "they" - had been neatly divided and served in twin square bowls. ($10) Our server was listening when I said we'd split it rather than two orders.
What has enchanted him? Saltimbocca - veal scaloppini topped with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese with a sage wine sauce. ($29)
Scampi Don Mike - large shrimp, wrapped in bacon with a sambuca and Romano cream sauce over a bed of spinach which is willingly and pleasantly replaced for angel hair pasta. ($30)
I had a half-bottle of sparkling prosecco ($21 - economical as a single glass is $11; him a glass of cabernet sauvignon Vista ($8.50.)
Food $69 Wine $29.50 Tab $108.84
And I get to have it again tonight!
aliottas.com 4485 Torrance Boulevard (back corner of a small mall) corner of Anza and Torrance) 310-371-9555
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