Locanda del Lago and Dominick's Celebrate Summer With BBQ

The lovely Dominick's patio

By Lesley Balla

The first day of summer is less than a week away, and two local Italian spots are celebrating the best way they know how: by grilling meat. On Wednesday, June 20, chef Brandon Boudet is roasting lamb on a spit at Dominick's in West Hollywood. The patio will open earlier than usual (4:30 PM) so people can enjoy warm breezes, the house Dago Rose, and roast lamb, gem lettuce salad, roasted potatoes, and panna cotta. The menu is a la carte (8715 Beverly Blvd.; 310-652-2335).

And in Santa Monica, Locanda del Lago kicks off a new weekly grilling series with spiedini, or Italian-style skewers. The grill will be set up on Arizona Avenue during the farmers market, so shoppers can dine-in or grab house-made sausage, different seafood, and vegetable skewers for lunch or dinner. There's even dessert: Grilled peaches with vanilla gelato. The spiedini menu will be available from noon to 7 PM every Wednesday (231 Arizona Ave.; 310-451-3525).