A taste of the East Coast in Woodland Hills

Chris and I recently bought a house and moved to Woodland Hills.
To familiarize ourselves with the new neighbourhood and its people, we've been challenging ourselves to try one new place a week - even if only for a cocktail or an appetizer.
Saturday night we had the unexpected pleasure of having Chris's folks join us for dinner.  What we are fast learning in our neighbourhood is that restaurants fill up fast on the weekends - and it is especially challenging to get a table for four with no notice!
After much deliberation, we opted to try the local Italian restaurant Giovanni Ristorante.
Definitely a locals place, the packed restaurant had a lively vibe to it that was echoed throughout the night by great food and entertainment.
I ordered the shrimp with spicy marinara and have to say it is the best southern Italian food I have had here on the west coast.
The addition of the chef screaming F-bombs at a patron and kicking him and his entire table out of the restaurant only added to the authenticity.
After the completing a visit to each table to apologize, he proceeded to join the band and sing a couple of classics.
OH! I almost forgot the wine -
We ordered a Barolo that only made the night better.  I wish I had taken better tasting notes but there were just too many distractions!

My knowledge of Italian wines is greatly lacking, but this bottle was an encouragement to do some further investigation.

From the Pertinace website:

TASTING NOTES
Intense, bright garnet red.
Complex, ethereal bouquet with hints of sweet spices,
ripe fruit and vanilla, and a long finish.
A big, warm, dry wine, with great structure and balance. 

Made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes and aged for 2 years in the barrel.