In Macomb County, there are a bounty of tried-and-true Italian-American restaurants serving classics like meatballs, fettuccine Alfredo, fried calamari and chicken Parmesan. You won't find any of that at Mangiabevi Urban Italian in Sterling Heights. Instead, owners Stefano Pecoraro and Mauro Querio are bringing a taste of modern Italy to the east side with fresh and imported ingredients, along with their decades of Metro Detroit restaurant experience.

General manager Pecoraro, who grew up visiting Sicily, and executive chef Querio of Monfalcone, Italy, regularly visit the old country to learn and explore, and they bring that experience back with them to their Sterling Heights restaurant. The pair met while working together at the Silver Spoon Italian in Rochester and they "clicked perfectly," said Querio.