Displaced by Wildfires, the Palisades Community Finds a Slice of Home as Cinque Terre West Reopens in Venice

Eater

3 days ago

As the Palisades Fire burned through the Santa Monica Mountains on January 7, 2025, Marlo and chef Gianbattista 'Gianba' Vinzoni were on a flight approaching Los Angeles International Airport. They watched massive plumes of smoke darken the sky from the window of their plane, which was the last flight allowed to land before the airport closed for the night.
Since the devastating fires, the couple, who previously lived with their two children in the Palisades, relocated their family to multiple temporary rentals before settling in Venice. They were forced to close their longtime Palisades restaurant, which was severely damaged, and eventually operated out of Venice ghost kitchen the Colony on Lincoln Boulevard. But as of June 23, the Vinzonis have reopened their locally loved restaurant Cinque Terre West at 523 Rose Avenue in Venice, in the space previously occupied by Bluestone Lane.
For Palisades wildfire survivors, Cinque Terre West's reopening is a welcome sight. Displaced Palisades resident Andre Ulloa was instrumental in helping the Vinzonis bring their restaurant back to life. Ulloa, who works in the financial sector and formerly served as CEO of Yamashiro in Hollywood for 15 years, invested in the restaurant so the couple could reopen. Ulloa finds it comforting to see Cinque Terre West's return. 'Marlo and Gianba were able to make deep connections with the Palisades,' says Ulloa. 'The new location still has that aura they captured in the Palisades. With so many residents relocating to Venice, they're providing a slice of nostalgia because it was such a special space for the many generations who lived in the Palisades.'
Regulars will find the same menu with branzino and tuna shallot crudos, grilled octopus salad, pan-seared Chilean sea bass, pizzas, and Gianba's homemade lobster pasta. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily brunch and lunch include a classic American breakfast as well as omelettes, Italian croissants and focaccia made by Gianba, breakfast sandwiches, and salads. Gianba also makes Cinque Terre's gluten-free pizza crust and focaccia, and serves gluten-free pasta as an alternative to the standard pasta he and his team make in house.
The two transformed the former Bluestone Lane into their own personal space. The 1,200-square-foot restaurant seats 50 with a sunny patio on this busy stretch of Rose Avenue next to Venice Beach Wines and modern Mexican restaurant Chulita. The couple took weeks to clean out the space, repaint, and add distinctly coastal Italian artwork to make it a bright, inviting dining room with a deep ocean blue exterior. They're working with the city in hopes of adding the established al fresco sidewalk dining space, but also have the front patio with new floors for diners to nest on.
Before opening on Monday, Marlo and Gianba found a loyal stream of customers who continued to ask them when they would open. Many of these regulars either moved permanently or are waiting for repairs on their Palisades homes. The Vinzonis won't be able to move back into their Palisades condo for at least a year. Both believe they persevered in these last six months because of the inherent up-and-down nature of restaurant ownership. 'We always find a way to keep going and restarting,' says the Italian-born Gianba. 'I always tell everybody that if I ever have a heart attack, I'm not going to die right away.'
'I'll clean the plate, cook, serve, and then I can just collapse on the floor,' he adds, laughing.
Cinque Terre West is open for brunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily at 523 Rose Avenue, Venice, CA, 90291. Dinner is 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday until 9:30 p.m., and Sunday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. See More: