Il Grano: Two reasons to go now

 

Tomatoes. Chef-owner Sal Marino grows 36 varieties of heirlooms in his backyard; they are ripe now. In the gelato machine they become an icy Bloody Mary; blender, gazpacho; a minimum of seven for salad. In the winter, he won't serve them at all: "No point."

Peter Birmingham. Formerly of the late Norman's, he is now Il Grano's in-house sommelier and cocktail obsessive. He takes Manhattans very seriously. He will grate the zest from a case's worth of lemons in pursuit of a great Ramos Fizz. He is, in short, a man you can trust.

Il Grano, 11359 Santa Monica Blvd. (310) 477-7886