Latest news with #Venice-based
Eater
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
Southern-Leaning American Bistro Cannonball Dives Into South Pasadena
One of northeast Los Angeles's most charming neighborhoods, South Pasadena, welcomed Cannonball on May 2, a new restaurant from Hippo chef Matt Molina and operating partner Joe Capella. The sprawling multi-floor space, previously occupied by Piccolo, has original brick walls, an extensive vintage wine list, cocktails, and farmers-market-derived seasonal produce. It's potentially the most exciting new restaurant to open in the area in a few years (its most recent was 2023's debut of Katsu Jin on Fair Oaks). With Molina and Capella steering the ship, South Pasadena has a grown-up restaurant for drinks and classic American dishes, coupled with reasonable prices. Molina, who won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Pacific of 2012 for his work at Osteria Mozza, has had a strong run with Capella at Arts District's Everson Royce Bar (opened in 2015), which is also co-founded and co-owned by Randy Clement and April Langford (Good Neighbor Bar, Silver Lake Wine). The foursome opened Hippo in Highland Park and Triple Beam alongside Nancy Silverton in 2018, cementing their place in northeast LA's dining scene. Molina's relationships with farmers at the South Pasadena Farmers Market, a main source for Hippo's produce, led him and Capella to check out the former Piccolo. The former Venice-based Italian restaurant had expanded to Mission Street in 2022 but closed just a year later in spring 2023 (it still operates in Santa Monica). Cannonball is Capella and Molina's first collaboration, opened without involvement from Clement, Langford, and Silverton. 'Hippo was in a good spot and we wanted to do something in this neighborhood [South Pasadena,' says Molina. 'I grew up in SGV and first heard about it when our friend Steven Arroyo opened something here. He was always ahead of the game. It's so charming here, but a lot of people in Northeast LA don't know about it, or the farmers market.' After a career spent in Hollywood and Mid-City at Osteria Mozza and Campanile, Molina has become acclimated to this part of town. Molina sees a similarity to New York City restaurateurs [like Gabe Stulman], who open multiple concepts in a particular neighborhood to serve a similar audience. Like Everson Royce Bar, Molina anchors the menu with his signature flaky biscuits with honey butter and a single-patty burger made with ground chuck and Tillamook cheddar. Starters include shaved celery salad with medjool dates, roasted carrots with cumin vinaigrette, and fideos with clams, chorizo, and saffron. Most starters range $12 to $24, bucking the trend of inflationary prices that seem to affect most new LA restaurants. A short list of six mains includes the burger with fries for $23, and extends to barbecue pork loin with Anson Mills polenta, grilled prawns, or grilled New York steak with pommes aligot. An olive cake with a side of crème fraiche is the sole dessert. Molina says the menu will not feature pasta during its opening phase, but he might add some in the future. Beverages at Cannonball are another strong suit, with Joe Capella's extensive wine and spirits knowledge on full display. Capella priced the wines to drink now (he would like the entire inventory to turn over every six months), with glasses between $14 and $17, and a long bottle list with prices that are often lower than online retail. He was inspired by places he's visited in Stockholm and Japan that price wine and spirits at an accessible level and allow enthusiasts to actually 'taste the fruits' of often labor-intensive curation. 'We're not trying to profit disproportionately just because it's rare and in demand,' Capella told Eater over email. There are plenty of wines priced between the high-$30s and mid-$40s, alongside higher-end bottles for those looking to ball out. Cocktails come from a longtime relationship with Varnish co-founder Eric Alperin, who advised on the drinks and helped install lead bartender Wolfgang Alexander at Cannonball. Drinks reflect the Milk & Honey school of bartenders with playful takes on classics like the Raymond Hill (Manhattan) using bourbon, amaro lucano, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and mole. Fettle Design helped preserve the building's main interior, hoping to conjure a New York, East Coast, and London feel that stands in contrast to places like Hippo. Capella and Fettle saw the moody space working with a darker color palette; tasteful landscape art, vintage lighting, indoor plants, and pops of old-timey wallpaper complete the look. A more cheerful patio with French cafe-style chairs and greenery works well as an al fresco summer dinner. Eventually, service will expand daily to later hours and a daytime menu on weekends (no weekday lunch, though). With two industry veterans at the helm and a versatile, classic ambience — plus the very approachable food — Cannonball has brightened South Pasadena's dining scene in a big way. Cannonball is open Thursday to Monday from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with expanded hours forthcoming; it's located at 1010 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA, 91030. Reservations are available on Resy . Sign up for our newsletter.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bulgari Secures Exclusive Partnership of La Biennale Di Venezia's International Art Exhibition
MILAN — Bulgari has become the exclusive partner of the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, one of the most prestigious and influential contemporary art showcases in the world. In the role, the Roman jewelry house will support the next three editions of the Venice-based event, running in 2026, 2028 and 2030. More from WWD Consortium Including Anne Hathaway, Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo Invests in Italy's SailGp Team In the Hills of Kyoto, a Glassmaker's Magical Forest The Art of Attolini The collaboration was revealed on Tuesday, as part of the 2026 edition's official presentation at the Ca' Giustinian location in Venice. Bulgari's chief executive officer Jean-Christophe Babin said the art event 'embodies the courage to question, the vision to innovate, and the sensitivity to narrate the evolving spirit of our time.' 'Becoming the exclusive partner of one of the world's most influential platforms for contemporary art powerfully reaffirms Bulgari's enduring dedication to artistic excellence and creative expression,' said Babin. 'Venice holds profound symbolic meaning for our maison as a timeless crossroads where cultures have met for centuries, and where today, the dialogue between identity, heritage and modernity continues to flourish in extraordinary ways.' Titled 'In Minor Keys,' the upcoming 61st edition of the event will run from May 9 to Nov. 22 next year. Curated by the late Cameroonian-Swiss art curator Koyo Kouoh — who suddenly passed away earlier this month — the exhibition will be staged at the city's Giardini and Arsenale venues, as well as in various locations around the Lagoon, and will be an invitation to explore and embrace new ways of perception through slowness, introspection and attunement to the subtle rhythms of life. In welcoming Bulgari as partner, La Biennale di Venezia's president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco underscored that 'beauty is a responsibility to be valued, protected and sustained through critical thinking and research.' 'Our collaboration begins under the sign of Koyo Kouoh's exhibition — a free, ironic and gracious thinker, dedicated to designing courageous and humane futures,' said Buttafuoco. Since 1895, La Biennale di Venezia made its mission to offer an international stage for the exploration and expression of contemporary artistic voices and aimed to challenge conventions and foster cultural dialogue across geographies, as proved by the number of participating countries, which rose from 59 in 1999 to 86 in 2024. Bulgari was founded around the same time, in 1884. Through the years, the LVMH-owned brand has supported many cultural causes, involving both ancient and contemporary art, as proved by renovation works of ancient landmarks in Rome, ranging from the Spanish Steps to the Baths of Caracalla. The company's cultural, philanthropic and social commitment was further strengthened with the launch of Fondazione Bulgari last year, which embraces a plurality of areas and strives to create long-term value in the field of art and patronage, forging meaningful collaborations to nurture creativity and cultural legacy. For example, through the foundation, the company has recently pledged 900,000 euros to support the doubling of the exhibition space of Museo del Novecento in Milan. Opened in 2010 and showcasing more than 300 artworks of the 20th and 21st centuries, the museum is expected to reveal its new spaces by mid-2027. Best of WWD A Brief History of Cartier's 'Love' Fine Jewelry Collection A Look Back at Kate Middleton's Cartier Wedding Day Tiara on Her 13th Wedding Anniversary: A Brief History of the Royal Family's Tradition David Yurman Files Lawsuit Against Mejuri, Alleging 'Serial' Copying
Business Journals
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Venice-based fiber optics firm doubles down on US manufacturing
While some businesses face uncertainty over tariffs, a Venice-based company is capitalizing on its U.S.-made production to drive bold expansion in the rapidly growing fiber optics industry.
Los Angeles Times
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Next Level Wedding Entertainment Trends That Will Guarantee a Show-Stopping Celebration
If you're planning a wedding this year and hoping your guests out of their chairs and onto the dance floor to celebrate, these days it takes more than the Cupid Shuffle and Cha Cha Slide. Moving beyond standard DJs and traditional wedding bands, the latest wedding entertainment trends focus on immersive, interactive, and customized experiences that showcase couples' distinctive personalities. We spoke to eight wedding experts and artists to help you find the most exciting entertainment trends to consider embracing for your big day. Bookmark this guide to learn the most innovative ways to entertain your guests! Instead of choosing a DJ or a musician, why not embrace the best of both worlds? Couples are opting for hybrid music productions that help create a lively and dynamic ambiance that cater to varied musical tastes. 'One of the more recent trends we've noticed is the development of a hybrid music production,' declares Daniel Scocco, DJ and founder of Baroque Agency. 'Rather than creating a dilemma among the choice of live bands or a DJ, modern weddings have been adopting a hybrid set, including both forms of entertainment. With the DJ acting as the true maestro of the party, they're backed by a group of real instruments and musicians.' When it comes to the type of musician to support the DJ, instrumentalists such as electric violinists, modern saxophonists, and harpists have become very popular. 'Violin has always been a popular instrument for wedding ceremonies, but recently, couples have been asking to include electric violin for their dance parties,' adds Natalie Wiegand, a Venice-based electric violinist, founder of ViolinVibez and co-founder of duo Elektric Heart. 'I typically coordinate with the wedding DJ to do a surprise performance (or a few) throughout the evening. Live instruments are a great way to make the dance party even more interactive and special.' One standout entertainment trend is the inclusion of live wedding painters. It adds a nostalgic, romantic charm to the celebration and the final painting becomes a keepsake for the couple. 'Live wedding painters capture moments in real-time—whether it's the couple's first dance or the ceremony itself—onto canvas as guests watch the artwork come to life,' states Reshma Ramaiah, director of US operations and co-founder of Resh&Co. 'More than just entertainment, it's an emotional experience for everyone present, and guests love witnessing a unique piece of art unfolding before their eyes.' More weddings are featuring awe-inspiring performances by speciality artists such as acrobatic dancers, magicians, and themed greeters. 'While specialty entertainment is certainly not taking the place of musical entertainment, couples are embracing immersive and personalized entertainment. Popular talents include themed greeters, fire dancers for beach celebrations, living statues, musical enhancements, and even acts such as magicians,' mentions Brittny Drye, wedding expert and editor-in-chief of Love Inc. Magazine. 'To keep it from feeling forced, select specialty acts with intention. And timing is key. You don't want to pile one right after the other. Sprinkle them throughout the evening. Your guests will appreciate the surprise and delight.' For destination weddings, couples are choosing local performers and celebratory rituals to entertain their guests. 'As a unique experience for wedding receptions, we offer the Kagami Biraki ceremony,' says Mariko Isono, wedding planner for Park Hyatt Kyoto, 'In ancient Japan, warriors performed the Kagami Biraki ceremony to raise morale and inspire each other before heading to battle. This ritual involves the lid of a sake barrel ceremonially broken open with wooden mallets, symbolizing a new beginning and good fortune. After the lid is broken, the sake is shared with all guests in a communal celebration.' Firework displays are being elevated with high-tech drone shows, crafting a spectacular display for guests. 'Custom drone shows are a big wedding entertainment trend right now. Recent wedding guests had a drone show with over 100 synchronized drones that created the brides and groom's alma matters, puppies, and personal passions in the sky over the resort – it was truly jaw-dropping,' remarks Pamela Wolter, director of sales at The Resort at Pelican Hill. Couples today don't just want a dance floor. They want a multi-sensory journey where music and visual storytelling come together to showcase their love story in real time. 'One trend we're especially excited about is a hologram act, curated to be truly one-of-a-kind and irreplaceable. This 3D visual experience is meticulously choreographed to stay in perfect sync with audio and lighting, creating a surreal, immersive performance that leaves guests in awe. It's not just entertainment, it's a moment of magic,' says DJ AJ (Arjun Shah). Brides and grooms who love music festivals are creating a festival-like experience for their guests. They are spending on elaborate light and sound systems to craft a 'wedding rave' ambiance. 'Another trend I've noticed has been to create your own 'wedding rave.' I've seen couples splurge on big lighting and laser setups and also requesting the DJs move away from more traditional wedding DJ playlists to play more dance tracks or fun remixes of their favorite songs,' adds electric violinist Natalie Wiegand. 'Last year, I was DJing a wedding in Palm Springs for a couple who love house and techno music. They mentioned that they were big fans of the Boiler Room series. So, we decided to get creative and turned the whole dancefloor into a Boiler Room-like set up with the DJ console in the middle of the dancefloor and guests all around it,' says Zorawar Shukla, DJ and CEO of Desi Beat Collective. 'They even streamed it live for all their friends and family around the world. It was truly a one-of-a-kind experience!'
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PE firm Chequers Capital acquires Gourmet Italian Food
Private-equity firm Chequers Capital has taken over Italy-based ready-meals maker Gourmet Italian Food. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Chequers Capital said it bought Gourmet Italian Food from investors the private-equity firms Alcedo, and FVS, as well as unnamed minority shareholders. The new owner said it will support Gourmet Italian Food 'in continuing its growth and strategic market positioning, including through targeted acquisitions'. Gourmet Italian Food was created as a platform to 'aggregate leading companies' producing 'high-quality' ready meals selling into retail and horeca clients. All founding entrepreneurs of the companies within Gourmet Italian Food have 'reinvested' in the group and the 'top-tier' management team – co-ordinating various business units – has also 'co-invested' alongside Chequers Capital. What Chequers Capital described as the 'GIF project' was launched in 2019 with Alcedo acquiring a majority stake in Eurochef Italia. In 2021, Eurochef Italia merged with La Gastronomica under the joint initiative of Alcedo and FVS, forming the foundation for Gourmet Italian Food. The group then expanded through a series of targeted acquisitions. These included the integration of Brescia-based Fabian, specialising in savoury snacks and sandwiches and Maerne, Venice-based ultra-fresh gourmet products maker Cucina Nostrana and its affiliate Deppieri, specialising in sandwich bread. In 2023, the company acquired Firma Italia, a Muggiò-based company which produced dehydrated ready meals 'with a strong export focus'. Gourmet Italian Food added the brand 100grammi, specialising in 'healthy and balanced meals', in 2024. Chequers Capital highlighted the impact of these integrations, noting that 'strong commercial, industrial, and marketing synergies' have helped it gain a 'leading' position in the Italian ready meals segment. 'It has established itself as a high-standing partner for major supermarkets, offering a complete portfolio of premium products,' the statement added. In a LinkedIn post, Alcedo Sgr managing partner Filippo Nalon said: 'This (deal) marks the culmination of an incredible journey in which, under Alcedo's guidance, we transformed a €17m ($18.6m) company into a market leader with over €140m in revenue in 2024'. The group, which has six production facilities and more than 450 employees 'stands as the undisputed market leader in Italy's ready-meals sector, leveraging an extensive portfolio of premium-quality products and a state-of-the-art production footprint,' Nalon added. All founding entrepreneurs of the companies within Gourmet Italian Food have 'reinvested' in the group and the 'top-tier' management team – co-ordinating various business units – has also 'co-invested' alongside Chequers Capital, the private-equity firm's statement read. "PE firm Chequers Capital acquires Gourmet Italian Food" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
