People enjoyed the food and drinks at Prima Cantina.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT
Drinks and food flowed as residents hugged, and Prima Cantina co-owners Tim Marschall and Nando Silvestri welcomed everyone in the eatery at 15246 Sunset Boulevard (near Wells Fargo Bank).
The chips, salsa and food were delicious and the margaritas beautiful, providing many the stiff drink needed.
Silvestri also owns the Prima Cantina and Spumoni in Santa Monica and was the prior owner of Il Piccolo Ritrovo (replaced Jacopi’s) by the Shell station on Sunset. Marschall’s family has been in the Palisades for four generations, starting with his mom and dad, who moved there in 1956.
The two men had purchased the business just prior to the Covid pandemic and now plan to keep the doors open while residents move back and others rebuild after the Palisades Fire. Restaurant hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
By opening, “we feel we’re helping to strengthen the community, because people are coming back,” Marschall said. Since 1989 he has owned TMC General Contractors, Inc. and is already working on re-building several homes for past clients who lost homes. “We know its going to be a tough road, but we’ll get there.”
Silvestri added “We want to give people a sense of normalcy. It’s like ‘Cheers,’ a place to go where people know you.”
Everyone had fun on Sunday.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
Silvestri said they also plan to include Italian food on the menu. “We’ll have an Italian/Mexican fusion menu,” he said, and promised chicken parmesan, pizzas and other menu items from Spumoni.
Marschall, a Huntington Palisades homeowner, said he comes up to the Palisades every Sunday and walks the streets with his dogs and thinks of all of his memories: he was active in the Chamber of Commerce with Arnie Wishnick, Marilyn Crawford and chaired Holiday HO!HO!HO! the Palisades Car shows and the Expo. “My goal is to have us here for 100 years. My goal is to have us all back together.”
At 2 p.m. on April 27, the town’s honorary Sheriff Sam Lagana, said “There’s something about a small town that’s special. You grow up in the town and the community comes together.” He pointed out that the 1978 Fires, the earthquakes, the road closures, and other unusual situations work to bind us closer together.
(Left to right) LAFD Captain Jeff Brown, co-owners Nando Silvestri and Tim Marschall and Colonel Jeff Palazzini enjoy the opening of Prima Cantina.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
The co-owners had welcomed Army Corps of Engineer’s Colonel Jeff Palazzini and Station 69 firefighters to the opening.
Station 69 Captain Jeff Brown said, “I’ve been here for eight years, and the sense of community and the kindness of people is overwhelming.”
About the fire he said, “LAFD doesn’t lose very often . . . .We are so deeply sorry.”
Palazzini thanked everyone who had welcomed him and said, “We know it’s all about the community. We want to work ourselves out of job and my hope is soon you won’t see us anymore.”
Marschall and Silvestri said they were offering a 25 percent discount on meals to all first responders, firefighters, police, National Guard and Army Corps personnel.
“What a generous offer,” Palazzinni told the co-owners.
The toddler examines the menu at Prima Cantina.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
In preparation for reopening, a new heating and air conditioning system, including all new ducts, was installed. Marschall said, “We have also added a TRIO-20 Induct 3-in-1 Air Purification System that features a Merv 13 Media Air Filter Cartridge that traps particles as small as .3 micron including mold, bacteria, dust, dander, and pollen. It also features (2) 22-inch high-efficiency UVC Lamps that reduce airborne particles along with Pro-Cell technology that transforms odors and VOCs into harmless, odorless water vapor.
“We are committed to providing the best air quality for the comfort of our guests and employees, this along with healthy food and Happy Hour all day will certainly bring back some happiness that we all desperately need,” Marschall said.