That's Amore: Best Friends @ C&O Trattoria

Having both lived and worked in the Marina del Rey/Venice area off and on for the past decade, I'm a loyal and adoring fan of C&O Trattoria on Washington Blvd. It's hard to go wrong with a place defined by jugs of Chianti served on "the honor system" and overflowing plates of garlic knots that awaken the inner glutton in even the most reserved of eaters.

But last night's dinner offered an additional bonus: Our server, after noticing the Best Friends Animal Society logo on my bag, proudly announced that he adopted a rescued pointer mix from Best Friends' annual Westchester Park spring adoption festival 6 years ago.

Enough said. Yes, your big bottle of wine, plate of garlic knots, and willingness to adopt a shelter pet will get you a bigger tip from us. That's amore!