Locanda del Lago Decks the Halls with Cena Di Natale December 24, 2009

LOCANDA DEL LAGO IN SANTA MONICA
DECKS THE HALLS WITH CENA DI NATALE (CHRISTMAS SUPPER)

Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25, 2009

Locanda del Lago in Santa Monica, which maintains a unique identity in Los
Angeles by spotlighting the cuisine of Bellagio on Lake Como in Northern
Italy, presents CENA DI NATALE, a distinctive prix-fixe three- or
four-course CHRISTMAS SUPPER paired with special wines, on Christmas Eve
(Thursday, December 24) and Christmas Day (Friday, December 25).

CENA DI NATALE, served along with Lago's dinner menu, begins with housemade
tortello stuffed with organic spinach and ricotta and free-range jidori
chicken broth paired with PROSECCO BRUT, ZONIN, followed by fresh porcini
and baby radicchio risotto with spiced Barolo wine sauce served with
PRIMITIVO, MATANE, '08. Main courses are John Dory, market squash and red
shallots baked "cartoccio-style", pomegranate salad and milk-braised
chestnuts paired with WINE: PINOT NOIR, CHALONE VINEYARDS, '07, and lamb
shank "ossobuco" slow cooked in rosemary reduction with semolina gnocchi and
pancetta-wrapped green beans paired with CABERNET SAUVIGNON, STERLING
ORGANIC VINEYARDS, '07.

The three-course menu (choice of John Dory or lamb shank) is $45.00 per
person, the four-course version is $59.00 per person, and the optional
Wine-Tasting pairing is $25.00, not including tax or gratuity. A la carte
prices for each dish are, respectively, $10, $19, $32 and $29.

A special Christmas Dessert available to top off this holiday menu is
holiday sponge cake with Marsala and warm orange pastry cream for $10.

Lago, which has been attracting foodies, celebrities, locals and travelers
since opening in 1991, is dedicated to providing the ultimate restaurant
experience with exceptional flavors in each dish coupled with meticulous,
friendly service. The kitchen features the most flavorful ingredients
available in conjunction with traditional and innovative recipes to keep
guests coming back for new experiences. All pastas, focaccia bread,
desserts and gelato are made fresh daily at the restaurant. Seasonal dishes
as well as numerous regular menu items feature produce from the local Santa
Monica Farmer's Market to utilize the freshest, organic, most flavorsome
produce available while keeping the purchases local to Southern California
from local growers.

On Thursday, December 24, Lago opens for lunch as usual at 11:30 a.m., and
the CENA DI NATALE Supper is served with the full dinner menu from 4 to
10:30 p.m. The restaurant is open on Christmas Day (Friday, December 24)
with the full dinner menu and the CENA DI NATALE Christmas Supper served all
day from 11:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.

Reservations are strongly suggested, valet parking is available in the
evening, and all major credit cards are accepted. Lago is located at 231
Arizona Avenue in Santa Monica. For reservations and additional
information, call (310) 451-3525. www.LagoSantaMonica.com

Official Website: http://www.lagosantamonica.com