District under the same roof as Shinola and NYC inker
Scott Campbell’s Saved Tattoo, di Alba’s comfortable
setting is designed to be a mainstay for locals.
Helmed by chef/partner Nina Clemente, most recently
at The Plaza at The Standard, High Line in New York,
the casual counter and takeaway spot offers a variety
of Roman-style focaccia with seasonal accompani-
ments inspired by those Nina grew up eating during
childhood visits to Italy. Rustic, spelt and gluten-free fo-
caccia includes the Amalfi dressed with San Marzano
tomato sauce, Fior di latte mozzarella, and basil; the Bi-
anca with fontina, taleggio, and trumpet + oyster mush-
rooms; and the Breakfast focaccia with smoked salmon
and accouterments. The focused menu is rounded out
with vibrant fare fit for everyday dining. Market-driven
salads include the Italian tuna salad and Bitter greens
with arugula, radicchio and sunflower seeds. Grains +
greens such as romanesco with parsley salsa verde and
Beluga lentils with cherry tomatoes are further reflective
of Nina’s Southern Italian heritage.
Pastries + desserts from sous chef Zena Scharf such as
rye brownies with smoked salt, gluten-free toffee choc-
olate chip cookies, and vegan citrus bundt cake are
crafted to be similarly accessible and soulful. Beverage
offerings include housemade Chinotto and rosemary
lemonade, as well as local artisanal sodas and Stump-
town coffee.
The design of the space was conceptualized by The
Smile team in collaboration with NY-based firm Gachot
Studios. Living olive + mandarin trees, rosemary plants,
vintage extra virgin olive oil cans, and Fiestaware evoke
the inviting feel of a coastal Italian villa. Wood but-
tressed ceilings and terrazzo tiles juxtaposed with rustic
brown subway tiles are similarly transportive, yet fitting
for the restaurant’s eclectic Art District locale. Guests
from the neighborhood can gather for focaccia and
coffee at one of the tables circling the stocked case +
counter, or order provisions to-go.
THE SMILE’S
DI ALBA
827 E 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(2 13) 620 6244
www.eatdialba.com
Photos Courtesy of Emily Hart Roth