CAITLIN WHITE
Assistant Living Editor
Many new students may be surprised to find that nights in Malibu can be somewhat droll. Despite it’s star – studded reputation, the city of Malibu seems to close at 9 p.m. or earlier.
What’s more, in spite of the numerous restaurants in the area, students especially tend to stick to what they know best, and what is closest; the Cafe, Coogies, or Marmalade Cafe. Are students scared to try new places out of fear of sky-high prices or just bad food?
Fear no more, fellow food lovers, trying new restaurants doesn’t need to be scary or ridiculously expensive. Just around the corner, in Santa Monica, upperclassmen and freshmen alike will be pleasantly surprised to find our own little piece of Italy. Or, our own piece of New York’s Little Italy.
Bravo Cucina, located on the Third Street Promenade at the corner of Arizona Street has quickly become one of the most – raved about restaurants in Santa Monica since it opened about 10 years ago.
There is hope for a fun-filled evening with delicious food and a “loving” atmosphere, and all at affordable prices. The restaurant I’m speaking of is known simply as Bravo Cucina, which literally translates to “Good Cooking.”
It’s spectacular heritage and organic ingredients sets this restaurant apart from the plethora of Italian eateries in Southern California.
Owners Peter and Ernest Lepore, are part of the Ferrara family, one that has been in the business of food for more than 100 years. Their Café Ferrara is a hot spot in New York City, and the Ferrara family is renowned for its devotion to excellent cooking.
The restaurant’s walls are adorned with simple Italian sayings, particularly a quote that says: “Bravo! For the fact that brothers exist and embrace the true meaning of family, and feel love that is a silent, spicy assumed ingredient in every recipe,” and their slogan “eat love” is included in their advertising.
The brothers brought their own style of Italian cooking to the West Coast about 10 years ago, and began receiving acclaim almost right away. In 1999, Bravo Cucina was awarded the Outstanding Chef of the Year Award, and was rated by Zagat in both 1999 and 2000.
But the restaurant is not run solely by the two brothers. A very helpful and extensive staff are what keep the restaurant open for 12 hours a day. Manager Lubo Markob has worked at the restaurant for a more than a year.
“We have a head chef, a sous chef, and a few others,” Markob said. “Our food is very good, and really unique.”
Bravo Cucina is not strictly a dinner restaurant either, it opens at 11 am every day, and serves everything from brunch and lunch to dinner, and even has a separate “light” menu for those trying to adhere to strict diets.
But most of the customers follow a hearty appetite, choosing classic Italian favorites.
“Our most popular dish is probably our Rigatoni Farma, which is a chicken breast covered in a teriyaki cream sauce with sautéed mushrooms,” according to Markob.
According to their Web site, this Bravo signature dish is a recipe taken from the Ferrara family was concocted by grandmother Ferrara, and passed down to the two brothers through many years of helping her cook in the old family kitchen.
“I think the main thing that really sets us apart from all the other Italian restaurants is that we are very authentic. The owners are of Italian descent, and the recipes are really homemade,” Markob said. “When New Yorkers come over, this is the place where they go.”
Aside from it’s historical roots Bravo Cucina’s organic ingredients also make it distinct.
“We work with a supplier that gives us only organic foods. The main difference isn’t really taste, it is just the food is much better for you, basically way healthier,” Markob said.
Setting, an important part of any dining experience is ideal, after a long day of shopping, Authentic Italian cuisine is served to eagerly awaiting customers in an elegant dining room composed of faded brick that dates back to the 1920s.
The upstairs portion of the building can also be rented out for parties of 10 or more and can accommodate up to 70 people.
Bravo Cucina has a sister restaurant called Bravo Pizzeria also located in Santa Monica, on Main Street and Hollister. It specializes in take-out, offers pizzas, and even includes most of Bravo Cucina’s dishes.
“We do offer catering services at Bravo Cucina, too, but this restaurant is more of a sit-down style, the atmosphere really adds a lot,” Markob said.
Taylor Gamble, a sophomore at Pepperdine discovered the restaurant late last spring, and has been a regular customer ever since.
“The atmosphere really does add a lot to the experience, it is really cute, and you can feel the authenticity in the air. I love that everything is organic too, and still tastes so good.” Gamble said.
Perhaps the organic ingredients and its Italian heritage do contribute to the wonderful tastes that the chefs at Bravo Cucina create, but there is no doubt that their secret is the added element of plain and simple “Love.”
This ideal is incorporated into every dish served, and their motto is proudly displayed:
“Food from the heart that nourishes the soul.”
The 15-minute trip down PCH is well worth it to experience this kind of food and ambience, and even if Pepperdine students did choose to pursue higher education on the west coast, thanks to the Lepore brothers, we can still get a little taste of New York.
08-27-2007
