Innovative Dining Group (IDG) debuts Soleto Trattoria & Pizza Bar, an accessible yet inspiring trattoria and pizza bar this July.
Located in the financial district of Downtown Los Angeles, Soleto is IDG’s first concept in Downtown Los Angeles and refines the classic pizzeria into a dining destination that transcends every generation.
“We envisioned a restaurant where you can walk in day or night, from the busy streets of downtown, into a relaxed place with the warmth and hospitality that exemplifies the spirit of Italy,” IDG partner and co-founder Lee Maen says. “We want guests to see that Soleto is filled with passion, from the food to the service to the design.”
Executive Chef Sascha Lyon oversees the menu for Soleto, which emphasizes straightforward food inspired by Southern Italian cooking. A native Angeleno, Lyon perfected his skills with renowned chefs Michel Richard and Alain Giraud, as well as New York heavyweight Daniel Boulud and French legend Roger Vergé.
With Italian ingredients as his muse, Lyon crafts antipasti offerings such as Crispy Mozzarella Marinara with spicy marinara sauce and basil pesto; oven-baked Meatballs Marinara al Forno; Grilled Oyster Mushrooms with Grana Padano and white truffle vinaigrette; and pastas such as the Rigatoni Ragù with house-made sweet sausage, Grana Padano, and escarole.
Emerging from a gas-assisted, wood-burning oven that generates temperatures approaching 800 degrees, are fresh-from-the-oven gourmet pies daily. Offerings include the traditional Tomato Pie with herbed goat cheese and wild arugula, as well as the imaginative Potato and Bacon with fontina cheese, scallions, and thyme, andSpicy Smoked Speck with Fresno and Anaheim peppers and onion.
Additional entrees include paninis such as the Grilled Portabello, and salads like the Chopt’ Italian and the Seared Yellowfin Tuna Salad.
The wine list is reasonably priced and thoughtfully composed consisting of Italian wines, cocktails, and beers that pay homage to the classics including a housemade Limoncello, “Grapefruitcello,” Milano Mule, and the Godfather.
Designed by Studio Collective, a warm-glow emanates from Soleto creating an inviting and relaxed allure for nighttime revelers, visitors, and downtown denizens alike. The design team opened up the room to its full potential, preserving details of the original building including vintage tile and wood floors, while incorporating stately iron and glass chandeliers that draw the eye up to the soaring ceilings and intricate brickwork throughout.
Three distinct spaces offer a matchless experience at Soleto including the 360 degree bar and fireplace, ideal for enjoying cocktails and catching a game, an inviting exhibition style pizza bar overlooking the wood-fired oven for an afternoon bite, and the outdoor garden patio for alfresco dining under the stars and downtown skyscrapers. Together, the stunning design replicates the authenticity of a stylish Italian trattoria.
Soleto is located at 801 S. Figueroa St. in Los Angeles.
