Things are different at the old Sage Room space near Kanan Dume Road and PCH. It is now home to Gravina, an authentic Italian eatery. From linguine alle volgole e zucchini (pasta with zucchini and clams) to scaloppini al lemone e capperi (veal scaloppini in a lemon-caper sauce with sautéed spinach), Gravina offers a variety of Italian favorites.
Owner and manager Giuseppe Segreto serves up delicious, genuine dishes just like Mama used to make.
“What we are about is authentic Italian food with all the authentic Italian ingredients,” Segreto said.
A native of Bari, Italy, Segreto grew up in the family kitchen and worked at first-class hotels in Italy, Australia and the U.K. before moving to the U.S. After putting in time at celebrated hot spots like Valentino, Ago and Toscana, he made the move to Malibu and celebrated the opening of Gravina earlier this year.
“I came here with my wife and we work together,” Segreto said. “The previous owner was looking to retire so we took it over. We are here everyday and I want to make sure this restaurant gives the best [experience] to customers.”
Upon taking over the former Sage Room, Segreto did make a few changes.
“I did change the look,” he explained. “I did a new bar, new chandeliers, new ceiling and door. We did some updating.”
The atmosphere is cozy, clean and neat, but not stuffy.
“I want people to concentrate on the food.”
And there is a lot to concentrate on.
“We do a lot of our own pastas and all the meat is all organic and hormone-free.”
The buratta is flown in from Italy and is soft and delicate, not like the rubbery stuff other places serve that tastes like old tires. There are favorites like minestrone soup, branzino al forno (whole Mediterranean sea bass), ravioli di spinaci (homemade ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach in a butter-sage sauce), even pappardelle al cinghiale, a specialty made with homemade pasta and wild boar ragu. One of Segreto’s favorites is the polipo e patate (grilled octopus with fingerling potatoes.) And, of course, pizza is a staple — Margherita, Bianca, mushroom, bufala and prosciutto.
To top it all off, Gravina offers an assorted cheese platter and a daily selection of homemade desserts. Since his opening in February, Segreto has been pleased with the feedback.
“I have people that come in one, two times a week and keep coming back,” he said.
The ace Italian chef thinks it all bodes well for the future.
“So far so good.”
Gravina Malibu is located at 28925 Pacific Coast Highway (Corner of Kanan Dume Road and PCH)
