Despite exceeding necessary COVID-19 safety precautions, Mama Catena struggles to fight perception
Despite taking all the necessary COVID-19 precautions—and then some—and at great cost, many restaurant owners across Northeast Ohio are struggling to break through the perception that in-person dining isn't safe. For the owners of Mama Catena Vino e' Cucina, a 31-year-old fixture in Euclid's dining scene, the constant struggle between sanitation an...
In Bay View, Sorella restaurant opens soon with an Italian menu, New Jersey-style
Sorella, the new Italian restaurant that opens Friday at 2535 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. in Bay View, is a deeply personal one for the chef and co-owner. Kyle Toner, who's opening the restaurant with another New Jersey native, general manager Paul Damora, is summoning the flavors if not the precise dishes of Italy from Rome southward. And Toner is bringi...
15 Best Italian Restaurants to Try in Chicago
When you think of food that fills you up, comforts you, and nourishes you, what do you think of? For many people, it’s Italian food. An instantly-recognizable cuisine that comprises intriguing regional specialties and seemingly infinite permutations of tried-and-true traditional flavors, Italian food is a favorite among many who consider themselves...
New Logan Square Italian Restaurant Showcases Multiculturalism via Street Food
The former Quiote space is roaring once again, thanks to Aldo Zaninotto. Last month, Zaninotto opened Testaccio in Logan Square. It’s a new Italian restaurant inspired by the Roman neighborhood where the restaurant takes its name, serving a blend of cuisines from Greek, Malta, Turkey, and Morocco. Zaninotto’s background is in wine, but many Chicago...
This Local Pizza Icon Celebrated His 90th Birthday in Altruistic Style
Donald S. “Buddy” LaRosa—thee one and only Buddy LaRosa who founded LaRosa’s Family Pizzaria—celebrated his 90th birthday on Tuesday, August 25 surrounded virtually by family and fans in the media via Zoom press conference. Buddy’s sons, Michael LaRosa (LaRosa’s CEO) and Mark LaRosa (LaRosa’s President and Chief Culinary Officer), along with grandd...
Gervasi Vineyard wins 4 awards in international spirits competition
The distillery at Gervasi Vineyard earned four medals in the 2020 Great American International Spirits Competition. The Canton winery-distillery took home platinum, gold, silver and bronze awards, which were announced this month. In all, 79 awards were given. Gervasi's awards: Platinum: Saints Desire, a small-batch cocktail gin distilled with Itali...
Sorella to debut its elegantly casual Italian fare beginning Aug. 21
Beginning next week, a Milwaukee chef will see his dream fulfilled and Bay View will have yet another worthy restaurant to enjoy. Sorella is slated to open on Friday, Aug. 21 at 2535 S Kinnickinnic Ave. And it promises simple, elegant Italian dishes at an accessible price point in a casual, comfortable environment. Sorella is a partnership between...
Portillo's to Hire Hundreds of Delivery Drivers For Chain's New Self-Delivery Service
Portillo's will soon start delivering Chicago-style favorites using its own service, the company announced this week. The Chicago-based hot dog and Italian beef chain said it plans to launch its own "self-delivery program" and hire hundreds of drivers across the company to deliver orders made through Portillo's website and app. Several delivery dri...
Local Eats: Bella Notte’s roots have allowed it to stick in Jackson food scene
Bella Notte Ristorante was born out a desire for restaurant ownership when it opened in November 2001. Annette Walker runs the business at 137 W. Michigan Ave. in Jackson, but her husband, Gregory Walker, provided the Italian heritage. Gregory Walker’s grandfather and grandmother immigrated to the United States from Italy through Ellis Island in 19...
Chicago couple brings authentic Italian beef sandwiches to Metro Detroit food stand
His family is Italian and he’s from Chicago. Now he’s brought his homemade Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich family recipe to Metro Detroit. We tried the food at Matt & Mo’s Italian Beef in Hazel Park to see if it’s as good as a place we crave when we go to Chicago, Portillo’s. The food stand is located inside Doug’s Delight Ice Cream Shop at 241...
New store brings Italian products to Main Street
A new store opening on Main Street will offer foods and products imported from Italy. Eugenia Mazza will open her doors at Cibus Italian Market, at 204 W. Main St., July 18 where customers will find pasta, rice, sauces, olives and olive oil, sweets and other packaged food, along with ceramics, jewelry, artisan works, some clothing and accessories c...
Inside Lytle Park Hotel’s New Upscale Italian Eatery Subito and Dazzling Rooftop Lounge
Downtown's new The Lytle Park Hotel opened to the public this June, along with their in-house, upscale Italian eatery Subito and sophisticated rooftop lounge, Vista at Lytle Park. Subito's menu focuses on homemade pastas, stone-oven pizzas, fresh seafood, steaks and antipasti, with executive chef Michael McIntosh at the helm. Guests can choose from...