Calogero Drago

Amada’s warm welcome and helpful hospitality begin on the phone at Drago Bakery and Catering, and are alone worth the trip!

San Simeon wine from San Antonio Winery DTLA on Italian placemats!

(Gerry Furth-Sides) “Half the fun is getting there” and, in the case of Drago Catering (3828 Willat Avenue, Culver City, CA 90232) tucked way inside of a Culver City maze of commercial streets (on the south side of Venice not in the cluster of commissaries under the freeway). Finding the Drago Bakery and Catering shop treasure it its own reward.  Let’s talk about that reward first.  The prepared food-to-go is scrumptious and perfect (casserole style) for take-out to make a meal into a feast.  To the Lasagna Bolognese, all we added for a main course was farmers market asparagus topped with homemade mayo aioli. Carrot soup, ciabatta rolls and a beet salad started this Sunday spring meal.  Apple Tart, in the shape of a rose, made a beautiful dessert on its own with a dollop of freshly whipped cream.

Decadent Lasagna Bolognese at first reheat from Drago Catering shares a plate with farmers market asparagus topped with homemade mayo aioli

Drago Bakery and Catering features a beautiful Apple Tart in the shape of a rose

Our lesson: After we remarked at the pan size of the lasagna we thought smaller than anticipated, and we were reminded it was sold by the pound, we are still eating soul-southing lasagna after a month!

The most pillowy, sumptuous lasagna at first reheat and after being frozen and reheated from Drago Bakery and Catering

We added an easy-to-make carrot soup to start the meal, along with a beet salad

Fresh out of the oven ciabatta rolls with butter (the pewter “item” at the botton of the tray is a butter knife with an elephant carved into it)

Drago Bakery will be offering Takeout Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; 3828 Willat Avenue, Culver City, CA 90232 with drop in’s or phone orders  310.280.6004; www.DragoBakery.com 

Owner and Executive Chef Celestino Drago’s special Takeout Menu at Drago Bakery in Culver City features is renowned freshly baked and freezable essentials for pick-up and home preparation.  The kitchen already supplies a multitude of restaurants near and far, with the best pretzel buns on the planet (that were the hit at LA FARM).

Chef Drago and the Drago Bakery team will be offering the following Takeout Menu every Monday though Friday for pick-up from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm – Fresh Pasta Package ($55) which will include a choice of Lasagna Bolognese, Chicken and Mushroom Lasagna, or Vegetarian Lasagna that will serve up to 10 guests and be packaged cold. Main Proteinssuch as the Chicken Breast with Marsala and Mushrooms ($80), and a Beef Stew with Red Wine & Spices($95), will also be packed cold and serve up to 10 guests.  Side Orders will feature 2-pound containers of Assorted Roasted Vegetables, Roasted Potatoes, and Brussels Sprouts with Ginger & Shallots ($18 each). Fresh Soupsinclude a choice of Minestrone, Pumpkin, and Lentil, packaged in 32-ounce deli-cups and offered cold or frozen ($12 each).

Executive Chef Celestino Drago abundant  Bakery Goods available include Breads featuring a Ciabatta Loaf (1 ½ lbs., $3.50), Pagnotta Sourdough (2 ½ lbs., $5), Rustic Baguette ($2.50), and Whole Wheat Harvest (2 lbs., $5).

Cakes, such as this Apple Tart, simply need to be reheated at 350 in the oven

Cakes include a Cheesecake ($28), and a Chocolate Flourless Cake ($28). Lastly, a selection of Fresh Breakfast Pastries will include Plain Croissants ($2.25 each), Chocolate Croissants ($3.00 each), Almond Croissants ($3.75 each), Ham & Cheese Croissants ($3.75 each), and Coffee Muffins, Banana Muffins, Walnut Muffins, and Blueberry Muffins ($3 each).

The clue is the Drago Bakery & Catering truck outside

The door into Drago Bakery & Catering is the only street sign

Los Angeles times Magazine articles tells the story of Celestino Drago on the walls of Drago Bakery & Catering

Celestino Drago pastas and baked food line two walls of Drago Bakery & Catering (above and below). Tomato sauce and tomato paste are uniquely sweet

The Drago family of chefs has over 9 restaurants to their credit and now adds an upscale Italian restaurant and event site,  Drago Ristorante. located inside the Petersen Automotive Museum.

Chef Celestino Drago

Pillars of the culinary community; there is scarcely a charity benefit without the Drago restaurants famous food and friendly faces of one or more of the four brothers:  Tanino, Calogero, Celestino, and Giacomino.  

The Drago brothers

Celestino Drago immigrated to Los Angeles from Sicily in the mid-1970s and has been famous since he launched Celestino in Beverly Hills,  closed and re-created in Pasadena on famous Lake Street.