Great Tastes in Brentwood

Stopped by the 20th annual Great Tastes in Brentwood festival yesterday. Lots of fun, lots of folks, lots of food. The Pecorino guys were there with porchetta, long-roasted pork that chef Raffaele Sabatini carved on the spot. (His twin brother, Mario, is center in the photo, and the third owner, Giorgio Pierangeli, is on the left.) They also had tiella di riso, a sloppy and delicious rice, potato and mussel dish from Puglia; and crisp fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with ricotta, basil and pecorino. Literati II was there with grilled corn on the cob with truffle butter, grilled hanger steaks and late-summer-fruit sundaes; Takao, the San Vicente Boulevard sushi bar, had some nice sushi.

Bakeries made a good showing too: Susie Cakes brought red velvet cupcakes, and La Provence Patisserie & Cafe had this gorgeous array of pastries and macarons. Proceeds are to benefit Brentwood's public schools.

Pecorino, 11604 San Vicente Blvd.; (310) 571-3800; Literati II, 12081 Wilshire Blvd.; (310) 479-3400; Takao, 11656 San Vicente Blvd.; (310) 207-8636; Susie Cakes, 11708 San Vicente Blvd.; (310) 442-2253; La Provence Patisserie & Cafe, 8950 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills; (310) 888-8833.

-- Leslie Brenner

Photos by Leslie Brenner