"We know this is a pasta and a glass of wine guide, but sometimes you need more than just those two things. Like a salad, for instance. Jame Enoteca (in a strip mall in El Segundo), has extremely good pasta (like the handkerchief-shaped mandilli with pesto), nice wine, and a kale salad that might overshadow the other two. While the room is a bit unoriginal, the owners are very friendly—and once they realize you’re on your own, will probably spend half the night talking with you." - jess basser sanders, nikko duren, sylvio martins