This info was just sent to me. I am so flabbergasted all I can do is post it in its entirety, below.
Someone get this man a big, shiny medal in Heaven. A heaven full of deliciously-decadent fried eggplant and delicately-flavored sausage with caraway (I think it’s caraway. or anise).
All wit aside, my sincerest condolences go out to the family–and I’d also like to say, few gifts to this world can be kinder, and sweeter, than a magnificent experience over food with loved ones. For all those experiences Sam facilitated, grazie.
“Sam Martorana, owner of Casa Bianca, an Eagle Rock institution, has died. Sam and his wife Jennie opened Casa Bianca in 1955 and created the pie that garnered awards and recognition as the best “every man” pizza in the city for many years, most notably in the food section of the Los Angeles Times and the yearly restaurant issue of Los Angeles Magazine.
For a history of Casa Bianca and the write-up by venerable restaurant critic Jonathan Gold, click on http://casabiancapizza.com/history.html.
Services for Sam will be held this Saturday, October 13, at 11:00 a.m. at Eagle Rock Baptist Church, located at the northeast corner of Colorado Boulevard and Hartwick Street in Eagle Rock.”
Pic courtesy the lovely and badass Ruth666.
Thanks for the update. Ruth666 will be upset as she raved about it as one of her favorites. She wrote about it here: http://blogging.la/archives/2007/08/the_best_pizza.phtml
Sadly I missed it. RIP.
you’re right Fraz, and I forgot to credit Ruth for the photo. Must do that now.
This is sad..I just ate there last night!
Tip: buy baked goods from Lucy’s fundraiser, and bring to Sam’s wake.
Double good duty.
http://blogging.la/archives/2007/10/help_lucy_the_skylight_books_k.phtml
Not to show a lack of decorum but I think I have a crush on Ruth666 now. She’s smokin’.
Very sorry to hear about the family’s loss…and now I need some pizza.
I just ate their for the first time last week too… that man made me smile with his pizza… and so many others too.
Thanks for using/crediting my photo, but what shocking and terrible news.
Our hearts go out to all at Casa Bianca – and FYI that’s FENNEL seed in the homemade sausage.
Fennel! I knew it was something with that liquorice tang.