On August 9, developer Rick Caruso (a longtime regular at AMICI Brentwood) and Tancredi Deluca (the restaurant's owner, and now Caruso's business partner) debut a complementary concept to The Americana at Brand called Deluca’s Italian Deli.
At yesterday’s sneak peak for Americana residents and employees, Deluca described it as a “more open, airy, contemporary” Italian deli. A salad case near the entrance hosts more than a dozen options, including artichoke gratinati with breadcrumbs, garlic, mint and pine nuts; wild rice salad with dried berries and raspberry vinaigrette; and Gioia mozzarella with San Marzano tomatoes. Executive Chef Piero Topputo, also executive chef of AMICI, offers 12 sandwiches, half hot, half cold, including porchetta, assorted cold cuts, or Sabatino’s sausage with bell pepper, onion and tomato. No matter the selection, Deluca said, “We try and source from people who are conscious about how they raise and slaughter their animals.”
Deluca’s stocks more than 40 cheeses from Europe and the U.S. and shaves cold cuts like duck prosciutto and salame piccante using a red Berkel meat slicer. They also have a fridge featuring grab-and-go pastas made next door at AMICI, including short rib agnolotti, lobster ravioli and lasagna.
Anthony Poon and John Kim of Poon Design were in charge of the deli’s look. Caruso Affiliated liked what they did with the branch of Mendocino Farms at Caruso’s Waterside in Marina Del Rey. According to Poon, “We wanted to bring the iconic deli and marketplace idea to the present with modern and industrial touches." The space includes a high ceiling, white wall tiles, chalkboard menus, polished concrete floors, plenty of inviting glass deli cases and custom Cypress millwork. Poon Design made the custom furniture from oak and oxidized steel and transformed old wine crates into a communal table. [The Feast]
