ANTONELLO PARTNERS WITH SANRIO® TO LAUNCH SPECIAL MENU FEATURING HELLO KITTY® WINE COLLECTION AVAILABLE OCT 12 - NOV 12

Antonello Ristorante and Sanrio will partner on an exclusive Hello Kitty Wine Pairing Promotion showcasing the Hello Kitty Wine Collection including a sparkling brut, sparkling rose, and limited edition "Pink Sweet" (also a sparkling rose). Antonello Ristorante will host a 4-course dinner preview event featuring dishes inspired by the global pop icon on Wednesday, October 12 at 6 p.m. located in South Coast Plaza Village (3800 South Plaza Drive, Santa Ana). The wines will be available a la carte. Those who cannot attend the kickoff dinner may enjoy Antonello’s 4-course Hello Kitty menu at lunch and dinner through November. Call (714) 751-7153 for reservations or visit www.antonello.com for more information.

The special menu will start with a watermelon salad featuring Hello Kitty-shaped slices complete with a white chocolate bow followed by a beet-infused bowtie pasta in an Alfredo sauce. After enjoying an entrée of short ribs on a bed of risotto, guests will be served a flourless Hello Kitty chocolate cake topped with dark chocolate semifreddo. The first 100 guests to make a reservation for the kickoff dinner will receive a Hello Kitty gift bag. A raffle will be conducted to win a commemorative bottle of wine.

"We are delighted to join forces with one of the most beloved characters of all time, Hello Kitty, and anticipate that the public will enjoy the wines with as much exuberance as they have for the brand in general," said famed chef and restaurateur Antonio Cagnolo, proprietor of Antonello.

"Sanrio is teaming up with Antonello Ristorante to bring a unique dining experience to fans," said David Marchi, Vice President for Brand Management and Marketing at Sanrio, Inc. "In addition to the Hello Kitty food menu, our adult fans may also enjoy the Hello Kitty wine to complement their delicious meal."

The Hello Kitty Wine Collection is licensed product from Europe and produced in partnership with Torti Wines. It has had limited distribution in the United States since 2010. The collection is currently available at specialty wine and grocery channels and served exclusively at Antonello Ristorante.

Highly rated in the Zagat Guide for several years, Antonello Ristorante has earned a sterling reputation for having served local residents as well as luminaries the world over including presidents, foreign dignitaries, movie stars, entertainers, industrialists and other leaders. It recently underwent an extensive remodel to reflect a lighter, airier tone rather than its original Old World theme. Co-Chefs Gino Buonanoce and Salvatore Ferrara work closely with Chef/Owner Cagnolo to develop daily specials and special prix fixe menus many paired with wines and other spirits. Reflective of the new interior is a menu of much lighter fare boasting high flavor profiles and organic ingredients. Many of the Old World favorites are still on the menu.

Media requests: Antonello
Frank Groff/Frank Groff Inc (562)491-1000
frank@frankgroffinc.com

About Sanrio
Sanrio is the global lifestyle brand best known for pop icon Hello Kitty, who is celebrating her 40th Anniversary this year. Home to many endearing characters including Chococat, My Melody, Badtz-Maru and Keroppi, Sanrio was founded on the 'small gift, big smile' philosophy - that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. Since 1960, this philosophy has served as the inspiration for the broad spectrum of unique products and experiences. Today, more than 50,000 Sanrio-branded items are available in over 70 countries and upwards of 15,000 U.S. retail locations including department, specialty, national chain stores and over 80 Sanrio boutiques. For more information please visit www.sanrio.com and www.facebook.com/hellokitty.

Media requests: Orsi Public Relations
Dyann Hawkins/Racine Diaz (323)874-4073
dyann@orsipr.com/racine@orsipr.com