BY KAREN YOUNG
Channel Italian food and culture on two Thursday evenings in August and September at The Americana at Brand with Cinema Al Fresco — Movies on the Green Italian Style. The screenings are free and a prime opportunity to check out the much anticipated Deluca’s Italian Deli which opened earlier this month — order a picnic basket to enjoy with Under the Tuscan Sun (starring Diane Lane) this Thursday, August 26 and mark your calendars for Ocean’s Twelve (starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney) on September 30.
Deluca’s is a contemporary Italian marketplace-café from Trancredi Deluca, who also owns Trattoria Amici at the Americana, as well as Amici in Brentwood. Deluca’s (which he co-owns with mall impresario Rick Caruso) is bringing an atypical culinary world to typical mall cuisine.
Deluca’s offers over 40 domestic and imported cheeses, Italian cured meats, fine wines, and a deli case of salads, sandwiches and hot Italian fare, and homemade biscotti and butter cookies.
Amici Executive Chef Piero Topputo is helming the kitchen, presenting a stylish menu. Combination salads include the Tonno e Fagioli, imported Italian tuna with cannellini beans; Insalata di Mare, a mixed seafood salad marinated in extra virgin olive oil ; and Pasta Crudaiola with tomatoes, eggplant, basil and ricotta. There are 12 choices of hot and cold sandwiches such as Panino Prosciutto, imported Parma prosciutto, fresh mozzarella and sliced tomato, and the Panino alla Salsiccia which is stuffed with homemade Sabatino sausages, sauted bell peppers and onions on rustic ciabatta bread. Also available are favorite standards such as Melanzane alla Parmiggiana, traditional eggplant parmesan and Polpettine e Piselli, traditional Italian meatballs with tomato sauce.
A sommelier is always on-hand to recommend the perfect wine for your meal. If you are on-the-run, there are freshly packaged dishes available, as well as marketplace goods with such items as premium pasta, olive oil, Italian beer, spices, herbs, bread sticks and imported candy.
Deluca’s has both casual indoor and outdoor seating. The sleek interior features rich oak furniture and high ceilings, white tile walls, custom millwork made of Italian Cypress and glass display cases featuring a selection of cheeses, olive oils and wines. There is also a community table made of vintage Italian wine crates.
The outdoor patio seating is perfect for people watching, or rather, Piazza Americana at Brand -style! Or bring food over to the Green for an evening of Cinema Al Fresco.
Deluca’s Italian Deli 781 Americana Way Glendale, CA 91210 877.701. Open 10am – 10pm daily. ($3.95-$10.95) info@delucasdeli.com www.delucasdeli.com
Cinema Al Fresco — Movies on the Green Italian Style at The Americana at Brand 889 Americana Way, Suite 330, Glendale, CA 91210 Phone 818.637.8982. The Green opens at 5 pm. The screening begins after sundown (around 7:30). Sponsored by the National Italian American Foundation.
Karen Young is the Founder/Editor of My Daily Find. Got something to say? Email: karen@mydailyfind.com
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