Del Sole Provides a Dual Italian Threat in Sherman Oaks

If you’ve long been complaining about the lack of stellar Italian delis in the Valley, you can now rejoice at the debut of Del Sole. The new market, deli and trattoria, which sports a bright yellow awning, has opened in Sherman Oaks. In case you are wondering: This business has no connection to Toluca Lake stalwart Ca Del Sole but still provides plenty of sustenance.

The space is split in half. Market Del Sole, the more casual side, sells Italian goods and houses a deli. Trattoria Del Sole occupies the other half. Both the market and the trattoria offer the same menu that includes standard Italian fare, with no dish topping $20.

Del Sole makes most pastas in-house. I enjoyed cacio e pepe starring just-past-al dente spaghetti heaped with a liberal helping of sharp pecorino Romano cheese, spicy cracked black pepper and olive oil.

Del Sole’s focused pasta program also includes ravioli zucca filled with butternut squash, sautéed with butter and sage, and showered with parmigiano. Seafood spaghetti is a lighter alternative combining shrimp, clams, calamari and salmon in tomato sauce.

Sandwiches are served on house-baked ciabatta bread. Highlights include a cool prosciutto sandwich piled with mozzarella, tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette. Heartier eaters may prefer brasato—a hot, braised short rib sandwich dressed with caramelized onions and melted Gruyère cheese.

The market also devotes shelves to liquor and wine, fridges to beer and soft drinks, and displays for Italian ingredients like dried pasta, jarred caperberries, tinned sardines and tuna, and of course bottled Italian olive oil.

A refrigerated display case houses desserts like tiramisu and torta della nonna—a rustic almond tart. Staffers also pipe cannoli Siciliani to order with fluffy ricotta chocolate filling.

14230 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818-501-0017