Bulgarini Vino Cucina - Altadena

Went down to Los Angeles last week to accompany the partner to a professional conference she was attending.

Our last evening we decided to drive north from downtown to one of the BEST gelaterias I’ve ever been to. The owner is from Italy, and hand makes everything in house, gelato, pasta, pizza dough etc.

As many of the best places in southern California, it’s located at the back of a totally generic strip mall, behind a ‘Code Ninjas’ kid computer camp and a nail salon.

For dinner, we started with the focaccia, warm with a shatteringly crisp crust, drizzled in olive oil and flaky salt

I had the carbonara (house made spaghetti and actual
guanciale (not pancetta and NOT bacon!)


It was awesome. Creamy, not gloopy. Rich and decadent.

Partner had the duck ragu. Same spaghetti, with a lighter, bright sauce with plenty of duck meat.

And for dessert, almond and pistachio gelato. No almond extract to be found here. Absolutely delicious, with the flavor of the actual nuts, rather than ‘flavoring’ really coming through. I also did a taste of their chocolate with sea salt which was SERIOUSLY chocolatey.

Should you find yourself in socal this is worth a detour.

I’ve also had their homemade gnocchi w pesto (excellent) and hand cut tagliatelle w short rib. You really can’t go wrong imho.

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According to the latest fire maps, it seems the Bulgarini structure was spared any major damage from the Eaton fire, though many neighboring structures seem to be severely damaged or destroyed. Obviously, they are currently closed. This is one of my favorite So Cal spots that I try to get to any time I’m in the area. I am hopeful that the place is able to recover and repoen.

Crossing my fingers…

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I don’t think Leo is going to be opening Bulgarini any time soon.

They lost their homes in the fire, and opening up a scoop and pasta shop is probably the last thing on their minds.

If anyone wants to help Leo and his family out, they have a gofundme page setup.

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Oh, that’s awful… But thank you for the update.

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