Cuisine:

• Italian
• Coffee Houses
• Pizza

Cube Marketplace & Cafe Description:
Inspired by a cube-shaped cheese counter in an Italian airport, Alex Palermo transformed the Divine Pasta Company storefront into a restaurant where his products can be sold alongside an assortment of imported and domestic cheeses and charcuterie. In the kitchen, chef Erin Eastland is in charge and her menu is based on her seasonal American leanings and the space's Italian roots. Start with some of the 85 different fromaggi or the salumi, both served on slate plates, bearing in white chalk the names of the food. We like Eastland's braised baby octopus, and her refreshing introduction of in-season peaches to a salad of buffalo mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, and basil that will make it difficult for diners to go back to the classic caprese. Of course, all the pastas are homemade and fresh. Harissa added to the broth of the clams linguine will wake up your mouth, while the maltagliati (pasta made from scraps and off-cuttings) served in an oxtail ragu is more classical. The four pizzas feature crusts so thin with so few toppings that they taste more flatbread; we preferred the wild Alaskan halibut on its bed of creamy corn and fava beans succotash seasoned by a tomato vinaigrette. Like the rest of menu, the desserts change constantly, but don't hesitate to order the s'mores when available. With its sensibly-bold red interior, a list of over 300 Italian wines, and an affable wait staff, Cube seems to bring some excitement to the growingly staid wine bar scene. If the noise grows too loud, escape to the few tables that line LaBrea.


Be the first one to rate and write a review for this Cube Marketplace & Cafe restaurant!