Manzo alla California is a traditional dish originating from California, a small town in Lombardy. The dish is made with a combination of beef, pancetta, onions, meat stock, heavy cream, red wine vinegar, and butter. The beef is larded with pancetta strips and it's then browned in butter with the sliced onions.

Vinegar is poured into the pan and cooked until it evaporates, while the stock and half of the cream are added later. The dish is simmered for a few hours, mixed with the rest of the cream, and stirred to incorporate the pan juices into the sauce.