SCIM NEWS SPRING 2008

If It's Italian.... we want to know

SO CAL ITALIAN MAGAZINE TAKES A ROAD TRIP TO NORTH BEACH LITTLE ITALY SAN FRANCISCO enjoy the photos

SO CAL ITALIAN MAGAZINE launches online advertising to get listed email jbgmg@charter.net  

SCIM  invites readers to send us SO CAL  Italian Restaurant reviews, events, feature stories photos and anything related to a taste of Italy in SO CAL email jbgmg@charter.net

JBGMG Worldwide

call 562.677.7452

www.jbgmg.com

All Roads lead Us to Café Bella Roma

Mina DiMarco

It’s such a simple thing, really: spaghetti and meatballs. But when you try a bowl of Chef Roberto Amico’s “Con Polpette” you’ll want to call yourself Massimo and start kissing men on both cheeks. Nothing tastes more Italian than traditional Roman cuisine, and Café Bella Roma, SPQR keeps it simple with the basic standards done exceptionally well. The menu boasts a wide variety of regional favorites and hard-to-come-by classics like Bucatini all’Amatriciana and the Carbonara with Roman Pancetta or the Original Alfredo (no cream!) and Bolgonese made with a tagliatelle noodle so fresh the dough is rolled & cut only when you order. The choices don’t stop at pasta, however: the flipside of the menu hosts the Chicken, Fish & Meat dishes without even mentioning the nightly specials.



The menu of Café Bella Roma, SPQR is the brainchild of Roberto, whose 20 years worth of ideas has finally come to fruition with the opening of his first restaurant. Born, raised and apprenticed in Rome, Italy, Amico spent some time in Munich, Germany before heading to Los Angeles and making California his permanent residence. Having worked in the kitchens of Marino’s, Ciao Bella & Clafoutis, he gave it all up to work the front of the House as a waiter: the last notch of the business he wanted to learn before branching out on his own.



Modeled with characteristics of Old World charm, Roberto & Lisa Amico created a space reminiscent of a traditional Italian Caffe Bar, with imported Italian espresso and Aperitivi (Crodino, Chinotto, San Bitter Red and Stappi White) served over a marble countertop and the latest Italian Calcio game playing in the background. It’s small and cozy, about 30 seats total with most of them on the terra cotta patio.

“We tried to create a casual place where we could feel comfortable and would like to frequent : unpretentious, inexpensive & satisfying,” says wife Lisa.

And why the “S.P.Q.R?” Its Latin for senatus populusque romanus, which means the “People and Senate of Rome” - a trademark used by the Romans during the expansion of their Empire to show ownership of the property it was stamped upon. (It’s also used on the uniforms of the A.S. Roma soccer team-very important!) Though if you ask Roberto, the SPQR is letting you know that when you dine at his café, you’re in a ROMAN home: “it’s more like being with friends where you can relax, eat well and watch soccer.”

Café Bella Roma, S.P.Q.R. opened June 17th, 2007. They offer Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Tuesday thru Sunday (closed briefly from 2:30p-5:30p T-F) and closed Mondays. Located at 1513 S. Robertson Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035. Phone 310-277-7662.

SoCal Italian Readers receive one free Espresso by mentioning this article (dine-in only).

Riley the Cattle Dog Says...

"Be nice to animals, people, look both ways before you cross the street and say your prayers at night .... 

Franco Nozzolino and Guest at Franchino Restaurant. North Beach

Try It you will love it 415.982-2157 San Francisco

LAKE TAHOE   CLICK HERE

photo by jbgmg 

Visit Virginia City  www.visitvirginiacitynv.com

photo by jbgmg worldwide