Gino Angelini + IDG = RivaBella, Coming Soon to West Hollywood

Gino Angelini working some lasagna magic

The forthcoming Italian restaurant from Innovative Dining Group, which also owns SushiRoku, Boa, Delphine and Katana, now has a name: RivaBella. This is the second Italian concept for IDG - they opened Soleto in the former Zucca space earlier this year - but this time they've brought on Gino Angelini, who owns one of the highest rated Italian restaurants in town (according to the Los Angeles Restaurants survey). It's practically a coup.

RivaBella, now under construction in the former Hamburger Hamlet spot in West Hollywood, will be an 8,000-square-foot mega Italian spot made to look like a rustic Tuscan farmhouse with modern details. There will be a wine "cave" for private events, cobblestone flooring, stone archways, leafy trellises, and an outdoor area that makes up nearly two-thirds of the space. The menu focuses on what Angelini does best at his Beverly Boulevard osteria and then some, dishes like Sicilian-style grilled branzino, saffron tagliatelle with prosciutto ragu, and braised wild board with crispy polenta. Look for the debut this winter, which could mean by the end of the year but most likely in the beginning of 2013.

9201 Sunset Blvd.l 310-278-2060