Cocktail: The Penny Arcade at Osteria La Buca

Jason Neroni, the chef at the newly renovated and expanded Osteria La Buca, is also a talented mixologist. He recently concocted a truly tasty list of cocktails for the bar, all of which manage to conjure up summer-tinged feelings of sentimentality for Italy (whether you’ve been there or not). A particular favorite, the Penny Arcade, mixes earthy snap liquor, elegant Benedictine, herbal-edged Amaro Nonino with a sweet kiss of honey and a sour dash of lemon for a snapshot of life on easy street. Drinking it at Osteria La Buca’s bar is a treat, thanks to the month-old Sputini menu, which features ricotta croquettes with truffle honey. These little balls of heaven pair perfectly with the Penny Arcade; catch them and rub them around in the sweet honey at the bottom of the bowl.

The Penny Arcade by Jason Neroni

2 ounces snap liquor

1/2 ounce Benedictine

1/2 ounce Amaro Nonino

1/2 ounce honey

Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Shake over ice. Strain into bucket glass with ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

Osteria La Buca, 5210 Melrose Ave., L.A. (323) 462-1900.

— Jessica Gelt