The caprese at Ettore trades basil for arugula, with vibrant heirloom tomatoes and pillowy mozzarella, a Californian twist on the Italian classic. (photo by Tabor Brewster)

Where to shop and dine in L.A.? An age old question, with plenty of answers. Of course, one of L.A.’s favorites since 1934, the Original Farmers Market stands out. Of all the ways to spend a spring afternoon in Los Angeles, perusing the varied and bountiful stalls at the Famers Market opens perhaps the widest world of culinary possibilities. Soul food, sushi, French, fried chicken … there’s something for everyone on the corner of Third and Fairfax. One of the newer additions, Ettore Vino e Cucina, offers a delightful Italian-inspired retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Farmers Market and the adjacent Grove.

Ettore began in 2019 as an organic winery some 500 miles up the coast in the Sanel Valley of Mendocino County, an American branch of Italian winemaker Ettore Biraghi’s Swiss vineyards. Several awards later, Ettore’s first brick-and-mortar restaurant and tasting room opened at the Farmers Market in October 2024.

Much like the wines themselves, Ettore Vino e Cucina reflects the winemaker’s Italian heritage with a distinctly Californian flair. The charming open-air dining room tucked away at the southern end of the Farmers Market is rustic and inviting – like the living room of a cozy cottage nestled in the vineyards of Mendocino. It’s a perfect place to people-watch and enjoy live music every Sunday. The small-but-mighty cucina is visible through a wraparound window, creating a sense of connection between guests and the chefs.

The wine list at Ettore highlights seven of their home-grown bottles. Options range from the “Chardonnay Pure” – a stainless steel-aged white wine that pairs well with Ettore’s seafood dishes – to the petit verdot – a purple-hued and boldly full-bodied red wine with dark fruit notes. My favorite was the rosso – an easy-drinking red blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and petit verdot grapes. There’s also several non-Ettore wines from Italy and California, and the friendly servers are happy to help you find the perfect pairing for that pizza or pasta, or simply a bottle to take home and enjoy with friends and family.

The menu at Ettore is straightforward but replete with options – antipasti, salads, house-made pasta, mains and Roman-style pizza or “pinsa.” The homemade focaccia is pleasantly fluffy and dusted with fresh herbs – a perfect way to start the meal. While focaccia can often run the risk of being too oily, Ettore’s is remarkably light and served alongside their own extra virgin olive oil – of course, grown organically on their NorCal vineyard. Meanwhile, the caprese trades basil for arugula, with vibrant heirloom tomatoes and pillowy mozzarella.

As a seafood lover, one pasta seemed to call my name – the tonnarelli allo scoglio, a decadent combination of shrimp, clams, mussels and calamari. The long tonnarelli pasta perfectly absorbs the briny flavor of the seafood, married with bright cherry tomatoes in a dish that places an emphasis on freshness. The standout pasta I tried, however, was the ravioli burro e salvia, which translates to butter and sage, which translates to delicious. Sumptuous pillows of warm cheese and aromatic herbs brushed with a light butter sauce and topped with grated parmesan – it’s simple, and it’s perfect.

A cheerful brightness infuses every corner of Ettore – from the breezy atmosphere to the light and satisfying dishes. You will leave replenished, refreshed and ready to continue browsing the merchants of the Farmers Market to your heart’s content – maybe with a bit of a wine buzz. Like Dino said, “when the world seems to shine like you’ve had too much wine, that’s Ettore.” Or something like that.

For information and to make a reservation, visit ettorela.com or call (323)386-1222.

Ettore is located at 6333 W. Third St., Suite 120.