INDUSTRY INSIGHT: 
Tra di Noi
3835 Cross Creek Rd
Malibu, CA 90265-4978
310.456.0169
by Andralee Offidani
The small country of Italy is known for its natural beauty, ancient art, and deliciously rich food. It’s a country that speaks one of the most romantic languages on Earth and is home to some of the most loving and affectionate people in the world. For all these reasons, it’s no wonder why a person would want to travel overseas and experience the remarkable traditions that Italy is so fondly known for.
Unfortunately that vacation abroad requires a little more time than is feasibly possible for most of California's busy professionals. There is place however just off the coast of Malibu that brings the essence of Italy to California. Tra Di Noi, a small Italian bistro nestled in the Country Mart shopping center of Malibu, serves some of the most delicious authentic Italian cuisine around and tops it all off with a warm, comfortable and understated ambiance.
The outside patio resembles an old Italian villa with yellow tablecloths and white roses adorning each table. Cool ocean breezes blow throughout the courtyard to cool off the hot summer sun. Outside diners face an enclosed park filled with shoppers passing by and kids skipping through. The experience of dining at Tra Di Noi is a vacation in itself, with the attentive, Italian servers warmly catering to your each and every indulgent need.
The restaurant attracts a broad crowd of families, cozy couples and occaisional celebrities, with expansive menu items to suit the palates of each special diner.
Some savory crave-worthy starter items include the cauliflower and black truffle. This delicious sampler is as tasty as it is artsy, with a swirly slice of truffle atop a bite-sized piece of ground flavorful cauliflower.
For an entrée, the show-stealer goes to the Orecchiette. This meal of conchiglie pasta smothered in a rich flavorful sauce made with Pecorino-Romano cheese and black pepper is topped with
mushrooms, peas and black truffles. The al dente pasta in tastes so wonderful it feels sinful, and yet the sauce is made with no cream! For meat lovers there is a tremendously tender entrée of short ribs with gnocchi and for lamb lovers the menu offers a luscious ossobuco.
Finish your Italian dream vacation with a grand finale of cheese, crackers and port wine. The best part is that it’s located just down the road and open seven nights a week, so you can take a European vacation whenever the mood suits you. Buon appetito!
