Lunch at Bettolino Kitchen

Yvonne has been to Bettolino a few years ago but couldn't remember how she liked the food. I suggested that we meet there for lunch. We were greeted by Andreanna, the owner whom I haven't seen in a long time. Yvonne is one of my friends that eats octopus so I was excited to have her try the  Polipo; Spanish octopus served with cannellini beans, cherry tomatoes in a lemon garlic sauce. It never ceases to amaze me how tender they are; not at all chewy as most people have had them elsewhere. Andreanna wanted us to taste a new Fall item; Meatballs on top of Polenta with a Parmesan fonduta (sauce made with cheese, eggs, milk or crème fraîche, and butter) basil oil. Yvonne enjoyed both polipo and the meatballs and so did I.

For our entrée, we split an order of Tagliatelle Bolognese; ground beef, Berkshire ground pork, pureed tomatoes, white wine, parmesan fonduta and an order of Parmigiana di Melanzane; layers of eggplant, homemade tomato sauce, basil, mozzarella, parmesan with a pesto drizzle on top. Both entrées were just delicious and perfectly cooked.

Though we were pleasantly full, we did leave room for dessert. Yvonne wanted to try the Crostata di Pera; caramelized pears in a pastry crust with vanilla sauce. We managed to inhale that. Our server Tess asked how we liked it and all we had to do was show her the clean plate!

Bettolino Kitchen has not disappointed the last couple of years I have dined there. They have upped their game and they are just getting better. Yvonne was excited to rediscover Bettolino and can't wait to take her husband there in the near future. They are located at  211 Palos Verdes Blvd. in Redondo Beach, California.