WHY It’s like stepping into the neighborhood negozio di alimentari you frequented on your last trip to Italy.

WHAT This hidden, family-run, 14,000-square-foot warehouse and teeny showroom teem with “tutti prodotti tipici regionali.” It’s all here and it’s all Italian: excellent dried pastas (Spinosi! Columbro!); canned tuna, beans and San Marzano tomatoes; rice and faro; chocolates and nougat; wine and beer; olives and marinated mushrooms; and a nice selection of salumi, cheeses and butters. You’ll even find gold-flecked truffle salt and honey. If you’re having a party, check out the freezer case for bags of ready-to-heat arancini and stuffed zucchini blossoms.

WHO Just about every L.A. Italian chef (Giada’s a regular), and last time we were in, Oscar-winning screenwriter David Seidler was deep in conversation with the owner.