what the diner would enjoy. His ever-changing menu directly responds to the market, looking to sea and pasture, orchard and field for freshness and inspiration. Many of Trusela’s regulars never look at the printed menu. Bob has an encyclopedic knowledge of his customers’ likes and dislikes, preferences and allergies, as well as the convoluted familiar relationships of living in a town as small as San Pedro. “I’ve only been here 30 years,” said Bob. “I hope I’m considered a local pretty soon.” Bob’s beloved spouse and secret weapon is the gorgeous Josephine. “Her calm and serene manner ‘keeps me sane,’” Bob said, while recounting the many ways she contributed to the success of the restaurant. “I fell in love at first sight in this very restaurant,” he said, recalling the lucky coincidence of their own establishment in the same location many years later. Coincidentally, Bob met Josephine while working at the old Italian restaurant, Avanti’s, the same place where they opened the awardwinning Trusela’s Ristorante in 2009.
The Face of Otto Trattoria, Dead at 57 April 8, 1957-June 6, 2014 ocean-going tug, MV Eagle, living the high life of a young and single seaman. Just a few years later, Trusela is the captain of his own ship, surrounded by a beautiful and loving family, making the whole neighborhood a member of his extended circle of cousins. Trusela’s is the warm and casual restaurant everyone should have in their ‘hood. Bob has refined his many years of experience at the best restaurants (Madeo’s in San Pedro, the Madison, The Skyroom, DaVinci and L’Opera in Long Beach, Ballys, Paris, Crustacean, and Hannah’s in Los Vegas) to create a welcoming place to dine, with something to please everyone. Trusela has an uncanny ability to look at his patron’s mood and demeanor, and intuit exactly
June 28
Art for Everyone The California State University Long Beach University Art Museum is sponsoring and art sale from 2 to 5 p.m. June 28. Have some wine, a bite to eat and go home with an original piece of art. Three ways to purchase art: Buy raffle tickets and pick out the artwork you would like to win; “Under $100 Wall of Art”: Pre-priced art all under $100 dollars; Silent Auction: Bid on high end art, top bid takes it home Details: HMollesArt@aol.com Venue: John Sanders Studio Location: 2828 E. 14th St., Long Beach Neomexicanism Neomexicanism, curated by Edward Hayes Jr., is an exhibition about a critical tendency in Mexican figurative painting of the 1980s. The exhibition is drawn primarily from the Museum of Latin American Art’s permanent collection with additional works on loan from the private collection of Nicholas Ingram. Neomexicanism explores themes including the transcendence of nationalist imagery to convey a message of disillusionment. Artists featured in the exhibition include Mónica Castillo, Julio Galán, and Nahum B. Zenil, among others, who explore national crises, the deconstructed self and the hybrid Mexican identity. The opening reception is from 7 to 10 p.m. June 28. MoLAA members attend free and nonmembers pay $15. Details: molaa.org Venue: Museum of Latin American Art Location: 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach National Watercolor Society All Member Exhibition The National Watercolor Society presents the best of water media painting, representing a wide range of directions and techniques, from experimental to traditional, and encourages support for watercolor as a vital, enduring and expressive medium. Artwork in this annual member exhibition includes paintings by Signature, Life and Associate Members. Exhibition runs through Aug. 17. Details: http://nationalwatercolorsociety.wildapricot. org/event-747214 Venue: NWS Main Gallery Location: 915 S. Main Ave., San Pedro
ACE: Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment
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n June 7, we woke up to the news from the San Pedro telegraph that Bob Trusela died. I imagine that for most San Pedrans who knew Bob, getting the news was akin to learning your best friend died. Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino and others took to Facebook with the news: “You will be sorely missed by everyone in our community Bob,” he wrote. “Rest In Peace.” The following is an excerpt of a 2010 profile, in which Random Lengths News food writer, Gretchen Williams wrote about Bob and his restaurant, Trusela’s: More than 30 years ago, Bob Trusela looked at the night sky off Asia and dreamed of possibilities. He sailed for Crowley out of Singapore on the
Just a few months ago, Bob partnered with John Papadakis to open Otto Trattoria in the former Papadakis Taverna in downtown San Pedro. Bob will sorely be missed. Bob is survived by his wife Josephine, sons Bobby, Louis, Tony and Domenic, and daughter Isabella. By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor
Calendar from page 15.
June 13 – 26, 2014
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