Doing my annual house-sitting duties for my parents, my childhood home in Studio City becomes my home-base for a few weeks. As I was sitting at my computer, I saw a friend post about a new gelato place in Studio City. How could I not know about this place just down the street? How did my ice-cream-aholic mother not know? Well, that is because it opened the week my parents left on their trip. So, with the excess heat, I ventured out not once, but twice (ok three times) in just as many days to enjoy a gelato from Fatamorgana and hence Fatamorgana is the Please The Palate pick of the week. Fatamorgana Gelato is authenic gelato. It was founded in Italy in 2003 by Mari Agnese Spagnuolo and there are eight locations in Rome. And now Studio City, California is the ninth location.

This story originally appeared in California Winery Advisor. After having explored the wine regions of “alta” California, including Napa, Sonoma, Monterey, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Malibu and Temecula, it is time to find the best Baja California...

Being a fan of Italian culture (food, wine, fashion, language, you name it!), I remember when I first went to Bar Toscana in Brentwood in West Los Angeles in 2010. Located next door to the long-standing restaurant Toscana, Bar Toscana reminded me of a bar I would go to in Milan, Italy. It was modern, minimalist and had a super cool feeling with white leather ottomans, digital images displayed in between the glass windows, a menu composed of small plates, or stuzzichini, and a selection of hand-crafted Italian-centric cocktails. Seven years later, Bar Toscana is still open but after a remodel, they have a new look and that is why Bar Toscana is the Please The Palate pick of the week. The space is still modern with a cool vibe but now there is a warmth to the space. The stark white and black furniture has been replaced by warm colors of brown and burnt orange which match the exposed brick. Instead of white ottomans near the entrance, there is a large communal table and additional seating. And, along the glass windows overlooking San Vicente Blvd. are cozy round tables with comfortable chairs.
Copied!