Restaurant changes name, menu

Native Café & Gathering Grounds in Calabasas has changed its name to Calitalia Restaurant & Lounge.

Renee and Ron Lebow bought Gaetano's in Calabasas Old Town in 2005 and renamed it Native Café. Under its new banner the restaurant will focus more on California/Italian cuisine.

The menu will merge Renee Lebow's California comfort cooking with many of Gaetano's authentic Italian dishes. Joel Jimenez will continue as executive chef.

"We will be adding Cal-Italia wines to our full menu of California and imported Italian wines, along with a selection of organic and biodynamic wines," Reness Lebow said. "We will continue concentrating on serving our customers conscientious cooking 'Calitalia' style.'"

Calitalia will prepare fresh food made to order, buying from local farmers while offering organic/ natural ingredients when available.

Although the menu and wine list will undergo slight changes, the familiar surroundings will not. In keeping with a desire for a natural environment, the restaurant's floors are made of bamboo and cork, with the walls adorned by paintings and photographs by local artists, including Shari Belafonte.

An intimate dining room, the Wine Room, and also a Lounge are available for private parties.

Calitalia, at 23536 Calabasas Road, is open for lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for dinner Tuesday through Sunday beginning at 5 p.m. There is a full bar and valet parking.

For details or reservations, call (818) 223-9600 or visit www.calitaliarestaurant.com.