Tonight, Culina, the in-house restaurant at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, will celebrate the launch of John Mariani's book, “How Italian Food Conquered the World” with a special five-course prix fixe dinner from chef Victor Casanova alongside wine pairings by sommelier Brick Loomis.

The book traces the rise of Italian food from its humble origins to its ascendance as a truly global cuisine, touching on Charles Dickens, Chef Boyardee an everything in between.

Mariani, a food writer for Esquire (among other outlets), will be on hand to discuss the book — and the food.

Casanova's seafood-heavy menu includes squid ink pasta with Santa Barbara sea urchin, monkfish wrapped in guanciale and amberjack tuna with oyster crema. For his part, Loomis promises a wine list of obscure varietals and lesser-known grapes.

Where: Culina, Modern Italian

When: Thursday, July 21

Price: $125/person; includes wine pairings & book

RSVP: (310) 860-4000

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