Wednesday Night Just Became More Interesting

Who says you need to wait until Friday for a special evening out?

At Scardino's Italian Restaurant, a family-operated Italian restaurant on Torrance Boulevard, Wednesday comes with an appealing incentive for wine enthusiasts.

The restaurant calls its weekly promotion La Notte di Vini—Italian for The Night of Wines.

Every Wednesday from 4 to 9 p.m., customers can enjoy 50% off regular prices on qualifying standard-size bottles from the restaurant's fine-wine selection.

House wines and featured wines are excluded.

It's a substantial discount and an interesting reason to revisit a neighborhood dining destination.

More Than a Glass of House Wine

Wine specials often focus on discounted glasses or a small selection of house pours.

Scardino's takes a different approach by discounting qualifying bottles.

That creates an opportunity for diners to explore wines they might not ordinarily order with dinner.

For example, a qualifying bottle regularly priced at $60 would cost $30 before tax and any applicable charges.

Of course, availability and individual bottle prices vary. The restaurant's published offer does not mean every wine on its list is included.

Italian Food Made for Sharing

Scardino's describes itself as a family-owned and operated restaurant inspired by the neighborhood trattorias of Southern Italy.

Its menu features pasta, pizza, seafood, risotto, and traditional Italian preparations.

Some intriguing menu choices include:

• Lobster Ravioli: Served with basil Chardonnay cream sauce and caviar.
• Bruschetta Scardino's: Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, goat cheese, and olive oil on toasted Italian bread.
• Chicken Cacciatore: Chicken prepared with peppers, mushrooms, olives, capers, and marinara.
• Shrimp Champagne: Jumbo shrimp in a Champagne cream sauce.
• Eggplant Parmigiana: Breaded eggplant baked with marinara and cheeses.

A shared appetizer, pasta or seafood entrée, and a bottle of wine can make for a relaxed evening.

Which Wine Should You Choose?

You don't need to be a wine expert to enjoy a good pairing.

Here are a few general ideas:

• Chianti or Sangiovese: Often enjoyable with tomato-based pasta and Italian sausage.
• Pinot Noir: A versatile choice with lighter meat dishes and some mushroom preparations.
• Chardonnay: Worth considering with creamy pasta or seafood.
• Sauvignon Blanc: Often pairs well with lighter seafood and salads.

These are pairing suggestions, not a representation of the restaurant's current wine inventory. Ask your server which qualifying wines are available.

A Little Taste of Italy in Torrance

Scardino's also features a heated, covered outdoor patio designed to evoke a traditional Italian neighborhood dining experience.

The restaurant welcomes dogs on its patio, making it an option for customers who enjoy dining outdoors with their pets.

But the real attraction for this week's Bites & Bottles is the combination of familiar Italian comfort food and a wine promotion that makes trying something different more approachable.

Plan Your Wine Wednesday

Scardino's Italian Restaurant

Address: 4803 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90503

Wine special: Wednesdays, 4–9 p.m.

Offer: 50% off qualifying standard-size bottles; house and featured wines excluded

Phone: (310) 542-2222

Website: Scardino's official website

Call ahead if you're planning your visit around a particular bottle or the wine promotion.

The Best Discoveries Aren't Always New Openings

Sometimes, the most interesting food-and-drink discovery isn't a brand-new restaurant.

It's finding out that a longtime neighborhood favorite has something special happening on a night you might otherwise stay home.

Scardino's Wine Wednesday is exactly that kind of discovery.

And it provides a good excuse to explore another bottle, share a meal, and turn an ordinary Wednesday into a little occasion.

See the official Scardino's website for the Wednesday wine offer.