L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014 South End: Mario Vollera's pizza and wine winning formula The tradition of St. Joseph's Table from southern Italy to southern California Pizza and wine are easily asso- ciated with Italy, but rarely found together. This original combination has been conceived by Mario Vollera, owner and manager of South End restaurant in Venice Beach. Native of a small town near Rome, Mario has been traveling the world and making pizza since when he was a teenager, inspired by a family tradition of making olive oil, wine, pasta, and bread. He lived and worked in Germany for almost a year, then he moved to England where he studied as a sommelier specializ- ing in Italian wines. "Over 2000 varieties are produced in Italy, deeply rooted in our history and culture. It takes dedication to learn to know them all", he says. Throughout his career, Mario Vollera has managed restaurants also in Spain, Norway, and Sweden. When he arrived in California seven years ago, after a sabbatical year spent in Latin American, he was starting afresh. Thanks to his determination, initiative, and true passion for the tradition of Italian pizza, soon he met Peppe Miele, presi- dent of the association Verace Pizza Napoletana in North America. Working with him, Mario perfected his skills, in particular the dough kneading and mozzarella making tech- nique. After three years collaborating with the Association and the renowned Piccolo restaurant in Venice, and a few months of successful experience as a "pop- up" chef, Mario and former Mozza chef Frank Fermin opened South End in Abbot Kinney. The thick crust, light "rustic pies" - as he calls his pizzas – are made of mother dough, a piece of dough kept back from L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014 www.italoamericano.com 4 the previous day's backing and added to the next batch. "This is a millenary Italian tradition. We also used to knead dough by hand in the beginning, but now the demand is too high." Mozzarella and tomato sauce are still homemade tough, while other ingredients, like cheeses and cold cuts, are imported directly from Italy. "My product is authentically Italian, but I also try to consider local tastes, start- ing from the menu: each pizza is The strong ties with the Catholic religion, its traditions and festivities have always been a distinctive feature of the Italian culture all over the world. Most of them date back to centuries ago, and are still celebrated in small towns and in big cities. Moving to the new world, Italian immigrants brought those beliefs and customs with them and devoutly keep them alive, passing them on to the new gen- erations. Among the most cherished is the feast of St. Joseph, that falls on March 19 and in Italy, as in some other Catholic countries, it also coincides with Father's Day. The Saint is widely venerated in Sicily region for preventing the famine in the Middle Ages, when a severe drought caused many people to starve. He is also regarded as the Patron of the Catholic Church, and protector of workers and family. From Southern Italy, this reli- gious tradition was imported to Los Angeles, and it has been preserved over time by the local Italian American community. In particular, it is commemorated by the St. Joseph Table Society, founded in 1973 by a group of six Sicilian women, that cele- brated its 41st anniversary on Sunday, March 16, at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in San Pedro. On this solemn occasion, the parish groups and all attendees followed the statue of St. Joseph in procession, accompanied by religious chants, the Knights of Columbus, and the Los Angeles Italian Band who performed the national anthem. After the High Mass at noon, celebrations were held in the parish auditorium, including a "Poor Man's Meal" and live music entertainment. The Holy Family was portrayed by young people from the local communi- ty, and the Saint's statue was placed for everyone to view and pray to. The food was blessed by the priest, and in part donated to feed people in need. According to the religious belief, in fact, St. Joseph was thanked for the blessed, heaven- sent rain by the Sicilian people who prepared a large banquet in his honor to be shared with the poor. In particular, vegetables are usually served to symbolize the crops that flourished again, saving the population from hunger. Free donation were collected to support the church and pro- mote the Italian language and culture through the scholarships awarded by the St. Joseph Society to deserving graduates from Mary Star of the Sea and San Pedro high schools. entitled to a street in Venice Beach." South End is deeply rooted in the neighborhood and so is Mario, who collaborates with local artists to make his restau- rant more and more attractive. The place is cozy - but don't call it New York style -, open only for dinner to enjoy pizza, wine, and a friendly atmosphere. "When it comes to wine, I prefer to ask the customers about their tastes and make them try four different glasses, so they can buy something they really like. I have about 40 wines by the glass, most of them organic, from all over the world and mainly small productions. We also offer free wine tastings once a month." Soon after the opening, thanks to the right marketing strategy and power of the word of mouth, South End had already become a meeting place, where everybody is welcomed by the hospitality and competence of Mario and his staff. "People can see that I love my job, and they appreciate that", he explains, and already thinks of expanding with a second location. Mario Vollera St.Joseph's statue L'ITALO-AMERIcANO STAFF L'ITALO-AMERIcANO STAFF Mar. 22, Sat.-Charity Bocce Tournament, Bocce Tournament at Memorial Park Hawthorn Prairie Ave and El Segundo Blvd. Games begin at 7 AM. 50/50 and many great raffle prizes . $50/person in a team of 4 ($200); 1st place prize is $750.00 2nd Place is $250. Continental breakfast, lunch and soda/water inclu- ded. Non player lunch $10. Proceeds go to help fund three handi- cap accessible bocce courts at Columbia Park in Torrance. For information contact Bob Chiota 310-214-2014 Mar. 24, Mon.-ICF Branch 67 Polenta Dinner. 6:30pm at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, L.A. 90012). $20/Adults, $7/Children. For information/reservations contact: Teresa Thompson (323) 721-1673 mottino1227@gmail.com or Maria Teresa Bravo (310) 914-3186 mtbravo@ix.netcom.com or Lou Mages (805) 492-9858 pat.lou.mages@gmail.com or Nick M. D'Egidio (562) 947-2819 san1nicola@yahoo.com Apr. 4, Fri.-San Trifone Society General Meeting. Mass at 6:00pm, 7:00pm at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012). For information call Angela Gallidoro (323)255-2163 or Mike Foschetti (323) 257-0302. Apr. 9, Wed.- St. Anthony Dinner Meeting 6:30 pm at Casa Italiana. Reservations: Johnny: 213-250-2464. Apr. 11, Fri.- CRAB FEST at Casa Italiana. Dinner 6:30 pm; Reservations 323-225-8119, ext. 10 Apr. 13, Sun. – Mother Cabrini Chapel and Library Open House, 9 am to 1 pm hosted by ICF/LAADC/San Fernando Region. 3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA. Groups may schedule visit to Mother Cabrini Chapel and Library by contacting Carmelo Sabatella at (626) 372-7812. April 13, Sun. - ICF Mother Cabrini Chapel & Library Committee Meeting at 1 pm. 3801 Scott Road, Burbank, CA. For information, call (626) 372-7812. Apr. 17, Thurs.- Holy Thursday, St. Peter's Italian Church. Mass of the Last Supper 7:00 pm. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until midnight. For information call 323-225-8119. Apr. 18, Fri- Good Friday, St. Peter's Italian Church. Way of the Cross 3:00 pm, Liturgical Services 7:00 pm and Adoration of the Cross. For information call 323-225-8119. Apr. 19, Sat.- Holy Saturday, St. Peter's Italian Church. Confessions 10:00 am– 12:00 pm. Liturgical Services 7:30 pm. For information call 323-225-8119. Apr. 19, Sat.-OCAIW Meeting - 11:30 AM IL Fornaio (18051 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, CA 92612, 949-261-1444). $25 program to be determined. For information call Lucy Gallo (949) 472-8218. Apr. 20, Sun.- Easter Sunday, St. Peter's Italian Church. Masses: 9:30 am (English); 11:00 am (Italian); 6:00 pm (Engllish) . For information call 323-225-8119. Apr. 25, Fri.- Santa Lucia Society Dinner Meeting 6:30 pm at Casa Italiana. Mass 6:00 pm St. Peter's Italian Church; Reservations: 323-257-2182. Apr. 26, Sat.- Scalabrini Discernment House Seminary Fund Raiser Banquet at Casa Italiana. Mass 5:00 pm; St. Peter's Italian Church, Banquet 6:00 pm. Reservations: 323-225-8119, ext 10. Apr. 27, Sun.-POINTers (Italian genealogy group) Luncheon 1:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. at Salvatore Italian Restaurant (125 N. 6th St., Montebello, CA 90640). For reservations and information call Diane at(310) 645-9442. Apr. 28, Mon.-3rd Annual Golf Tournament to benefit L'Italo- Americano at Porter Valley Country Club (19216 Singing Hills Dr., Northridge, CA 91326). Join us for a full day of festivities. For information, tel. (626) 359-7715 or info@italoamericano.com

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