Celestino Ristorante Celebrates Summer Sicilian Style

Celestino Ristorante is located at 141 S. Lake Ave. – Courtesy photo / Alen Lin

Over twenty years ago, the Drago Brothers set out to show Los Angeles what true Italian and Sicilian food consists of and have since made a name for themselves as powerhouses of fine Italian cuisine in Los Angeles. For over two decades, Celestino Ristorante has been Pasadena’s mainstay for fans of authentic Italian cuisine, changing its menu with the seasons to reflect authentic flavors made with the best seafood, house-made pastas, organic meats, and the freshest produce Southern California has to offer. Showcasing the verdant flavors of summer, Owner and Executive Chef Calogero Drago does not disappoint with Celestino Ristorante’s new Sicilian summer menu, guaranteed to satiate all your summer cravings and tantalize your palate all month long.

“People look for vegetables and lighter dishes when it gets hot outside,” says Chef Drago. “Summer in Italy means lots of greens, fava beans, Swiss chard, peas, and arugula. That is what inspired me. I created a very simple, clean menu, with lots of olive oil and summer vegetables.”

Celestino Ristorante has a new Sicilian themed summer menu. – Courtesy photo / acuna-hansen

There is no need to book a pricey flight when your Italian escapade is waiting right in the heart of Pasadena, with an al fresco garden patio awaiting your arrival for a lovely Italian summer night. Begin your Italian adventure with antipasto selections like zuppa di pomodoro fredda con gamberetti e cetriolini, a refreshing cold tomato gazpacho soup, or the verdure miste alla griglia con olio di oliva e aceto balsamico, mixed grilled vegetables with olive oil and balsamic. Both are a perfect light summer starter. A Sicilian summer in Italy is not complete without a seafood classic such as the zuppetta di moscardini con cannellini e crostini all’aglio, a baby-octopus stew with cannellini beans and garlic crostini.

Make your way to the true star of this special menu in the pasta e pesce e carne section, where solstice delights are sure to satisfy, like the pappardelle fatte in casa alla fantasia di campo, featuring homemade flat and wide noodles with spring vegetables, or the ravioli ripieni di burrata con salsa di asparagi, ravioli stuffed with burrata cheese and asparagus sauce. From land and sea, is ready for every palate and every Italian itinerary, with the tagliolini bianchi e neri con vongole, pomodorini e arugula, a homemade black and white tagliolini with clams, cherry tomatoes and arugula. Also try the risotto con fave speck e pecorino pepato, risotto with fresh fava beans, speck, Pecorino cheese and black pepper; or the luscious luganiga alla griglia con broccolini con salsa di Nero dovola, starring Italian sausage with broccolini and red wine sauce.

Try a variety of their pastas and take your taste buds on a Sicilian tour. – Courtesy photo / acuna-hansen

Californians know all about the joy of citrus fruits and will adore these two wildly different but equally citrus forward dishes: the filetto di pesce alla mugnaia; a filet of orange roughy with lemon capers and a lemon zest, and lastly the vitello alla griglia con erbette aromatiche featuring grilled veal paillard in a citrus fine herb sauce.

Indulging in a bit of Dolce will bring a cool sweetness to any summer day, especially with the sorbetti misti, featuring an array of house-made sorbet flavors to refresh and cleanse the palate.

Guests may enjoy Celestino Ristorante’s new Sicilian summer menu by selecting one item per course to create a delectable three-course menu specially priced at $48 per person or each guest can order dishes à la carte.

The garden patio allows you to eat “al fresco” without the pesky insects. – Courtesy photo / Alen Lin

Put your passport away and forget flying economy, as you are always in first class at Celestino Ristorante where the new Sicilian summer menu aims to please and is full of fresh garden flavors and Italian summer favorites.

Celestino Ristorante is open for Lunch every Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Celestino Ristorante is open for dinner every Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., every Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and every Saturday and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information or reservations, please visit CelestinoPasadena.com or call Celestino Ristorante directly at (626) 795-4006.

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