Taste of Taste of Italy (Photos)

Just a few days after the restored America Tropical mural on its wall was officially inaugurated, the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles hosted a very successful fundraiser in the plaza at Olvera Street.

Dozens of Italian-American owned restaurants and vendors participated in the 4th annual Taste of Italy--including Los Feliz's Palermo--attended by hundreds of enthusiastic lovers of all things Italian.

We particularly enjoyed meeting Domenico DiBartolomeo of Domenico's Foods. His Maple Onion Confit is a secret ingredient in a favorite sandwich at Heywood, A Grilled Cheese Shoppe on Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake.

Those attending also had a chance to support the museum, either by joining as a member or pledging to support the restoration of the tile entryway in Italian Hall.

Read more about how to help restore the mosaic here.

The event coincided with National Italian American Heritage Month, which is celebrated in October.

Council member Tom LaBonge helped present museum director Marianna Gatto with a certificate noting the event.  (See photo.)

Gatto grew up in Silver Lake and lives in Highland Park today.

The hope is to have the museum open officially next year, with a goal of attracting 2 million visitors a year.

It shouldn't be too hard now that the Getty-funded America Tropical Interpretive Center, showcasing the newly-stored Siqueiros mural, has opened next door

The new museum is set to open in 2013 in Olvera Street's Italian Hall building, at the intersection of Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Main Street.