You have to give credit to a chef who gives up the bright lights of television and celebrity to toil in the kitchen. Michael Chiarello, who also happens to be a winemaker, cookbook author and retail shop owner, is still behind the stoves at his 3-year-old Italian restaurant, along with his chef, Robert Hohmann. You can still get a sense of how the building got its start as a winery, with the thick brick walls and timber-beam ceiling. These rustic elements create a fetching contrast to the Murano glass chandeliers, Donghia fabric and oversize Frette napkins. In addition, the wines are exceptionally well priced.

 
Specialties: Polenta under glass with balsamic game sauce; red wheat tagliarini with veal and pork sugo; smoked and braised short ribs with mustard spaetzle; wood-oven roasted fish with Meyer lemon.

Hours

Lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, dinner 5:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Cuisines

• California
• Italian

Features

• Online Reservation
• Credit Cards: Accepted
• Full Bar
• Outdoor Seating
• Parking: Free Lot
• Bar Bites
• Lunch
• Seating (96 (plus 43 in the lounge, 40 on the patio))