The Italian American Museum’s fifth annual Taste of Italy, Los Angeles’ premier Cultural-Gastronomic event, returns to downtown Los Angeles. Known for its authenticity, promotion of healthy, modern, eco-conscious lifestyle, Taste of Italy, features 35 of the best restaurants in the region, exceptional wineries serving nearly 100 wines, and live entertainment. Get $5 off your tickets using the code XLATOI5!

Drawing over 3,000 attendees, Taste of Italy is the largest annual benefit for the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA), a non-profit organization. The event takes place around the famous Pico House Built by Pío Pico, last governor of California under Mexican rule, who lived almost the entire length of the nineteenth century, from 1801 to 1894. This was the first three-story building and the first grand hotel in Los Angeles. It later became an Italian hotel.

This year’s participants include Drago, Toscanova, Cafe Firenze, Pizzeria Il Fico, Trattoria Neapolis, Casa Nostra, Colori’s Kitchen, Ventura Limoncello Co., Bulgarini Gelato, Di Stefano Cheese, GROM, Grando Cioccolato, Little Dom’s, and dozens of others.

There will also be two celebrity chefs at the event, live demonstrations, and close to 100 varietals by Cantina Pizzolato, Fasoli Gino, Le Vigne Winery, and dozens of others.

Special guests include critically acclaimed Canzionere Grecanico, performing live, as well as chanteuses Maria Elena Infantino  and Elisabetta Russo. Celebrity chef Fabio Viviani will be present to conduct a cooking demonstration and sign copies of his new book Fabio’s Italian Kitchen. Actor Louis Lombardi will also be present to introduce his recently launched gourmet food line, Lombardi’s Gourmet.

Los Angeles is home to the nations fifth largest Italian population, and one of the country’s oldest. “Taste of Italy is a celebration of authentic Italian culture and the tremendous, yet often overlooked, legacy of Italian Americans in the region,” said Marianna Gatto, Executive Director of the IAMLA and historian.

“The IAMLA and Taste o Italy provide an avenue through which people of all origins can come together to learn about the region’s diverse history and experience Italian culture through the universal language of food,” said Paul Pagnone, President of IAMLA.

Contests

Win tickets to Taste of Italy! Just create a video of yourself singing a short song with original lyrics about Taste of Italy or Southern California Italian American history.

Win tickets to Italy!

The Italian American Museum is located in the historic Italian Hall on North Main Street overlooking Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles, just minutes from L.A. Live and the Civic Center. Built in 1908, the Italian Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the oldest remaining structure from the city’s little Italy. 

Slated to re-open in 2014, the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles is a 21^st century, interactive museum that documents the history and contributions of Italian Americans in Southern California and the nation. The IAMLA features exhibitions and a variety of cultural-educational programming. It welcomes an estimated two million visitors of all origins annually, including 300,000 students.

The Mission of the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles is to foster understanding of Southern California’s diverse heritage through research, historic preservation, exhibitions, and educational programs that examine the history and contributions of Italian Americans in California and the nation.

WHAT: The Italian American Museum Of Los Angeles Presents Taste Of Italy 
WHEN: Saturday, October 12, 2013 | 5:00 – 10:00 pm
WHERE: Pico House | 424 North Main Street | Los Angeles, CA 90012

DETAILS:

• Tickets: General admission adult $50, general admission child $25, VIP admission $125
• Get $5 off your tickets using the code XLATOI5!

CONTACT INFO: (2130 485-8432

SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook | Twitter | Yelp

Dear reader,

I appreciate your support and feedback. Please respond to this article now by leaving a comment and/or “liking” it. For exciting, up to date events in Los Angeles, subscribe to this blog via email. You can also share this article with friends and family and visit my Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram pages.

Thank you for visiting!

Mr. Events.