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Buono Gusto in Naples!

03.13.13

When it comes to Italian food, we find that people can be particularly passionate about the subject—especially those lucky enough to be brought up with an Italian grandmother who shows her love of family by making handmade pastas, fresh sauces, and recipes passed on for generations. Now, even if you don’t have a “nonna” but you need an arsenal of Italian restaurants to choose from when you want your fix of fresh pasta and homemade specialties, you must reserve a spot at Michael’s On Naples in Long Beach.

It’s rated one of the Top 25 Italian Restaurants in the U.S. by Zagat, even surpassing Angelini Osteria and Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles. And even better yet, its Executive Chef David Coleman, an Orange County native, is a champion of the Slow Food Movement. His motto: “No GMOs  allowed in the kitchen.”
 
Coleman grows his own heirloom tomatoes and herbs on the rooftop terrace, he makes sausage and mozzarella cheese from scratch, handmade pastas daily, and often times he butchers his own meat procured from local farmers. (A nonna would be proud.) Sit down at Michael’s in the comfortable dining room, or upstairs in the terrace, and order some of our favorites, or seasonal specialties that Coleman cooks up.

For starters, we can highly recommend the Zuppa Di Polipo grilled octopus with fagioli bianchi di spagna, celery hearts, calabrian chiles in a fennel broth; and the Insalata Di Barbabietole with heirloom beets with farro, mache, hazelnuts and goat cheese mousse; and the grilled house made fennel sausage with baked polenta and Amatriciana sauce was brilliant.

From the fresh pasta selections we are still dreaming of the Papperdelle con coda di bue, ribbon pasta with braised oxtail, chanterelle mushrooms, chard and burrata cheese and; and you’ll love the Ravioloni Di Maiale
Braised pork with Ricotta stuffed pasta, escarole, Grana and roasted garlic. And two of our favorite main dishes include the Ossobuco Di Maiale, braised Kurobuta pork shank with saffron risotto and pistachio gremolata; and Branzino, a whole grilled Mediterranean sea bass with artichokes, potatoes and taggiasche olives.

Michael’s also offers an award winning collection of Italian and Californian wines by the glass, quartino or bottle—on Tuesday and Wednesday bottles are available at 25% off, and corkage fee is waived on Monday evenings.

Happy hour is offered everyday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the bar and lounge, 50% off select beer, wine by the glass, and spirits.

Open 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
  
Michael's on Naples Ristorante is at 5620 East 2nd St. in Long Beach. 562.439.7080.

For a more casual evening, but equally as delicious try Michael’s Pizzeria next door, specializing in authentic Neapolitan-style pizza made from housemade dough, sauce and cheeses, locally-grown organic veggies, herbs from its own garden, and the finest cured Italian meats. Open noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. 5615 E. 2nd St. in Long Beach. 562.987.4000.

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Don Quixote’s Stars of Ballet

03.13.13

Ballet enthusiasts can enjoy a special treat when two spectacular dancers participate in Festival Ballet Theatre's colorful production of Don Quixote on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Irvine Barclay Theatre. Featured in the leading roles as passionate young lovers, Kitri and Basillio, are American Ballet Theatre’s stars, Hee Seo and Cory Stearns.

The classic ballet, based on Cervantes’ heroic novel and set to Ludwig Minkus beautiful score is must see featuring spectacular guest artists, professional company dancers and a lively cast of many. Tickets: $40, $36 Senior, $30 child.

Irvine Barclay Theatre is at 4199 Campus Drive in Irvine. 949.854.4607.

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