A First Look at Nashville’s Newly Opened St. Vito Focacceria
In Nashville, chef Michael Hanna started making his very specific style of pizza—sfincione, a pillowy soft, cheese-filled, breadcrumb-doused delight—under the name St. Vito Focacceria during the pandemic. Well-documented on social media, Hanna was making just a handful of pizzas at the beginning, but the business skyrocketed when he got a supportiv...
Italy’s ‘new Michelangelo’ bringing sculpture into 21st century
You may think being described as “the new Michelangelo” would be a daunting prospect for an Italian sculptor but the artist known as Jago takes it in his stride. The 36-year-old has earned widespread praise for his modern twists on classical-style sculptures, as well as a large following on Instagram. Last month the first museum dedicated to his wo...
Carrie Malanga G’05 Creates Scholarship in Honor of her Late Husband
June 2023 – In many ways, the Italian language has helped shape who Carrie Malanga G’05 is today. Her journey started, quite literally, with a honeymoon to Italy over 30 years ago to meet the family of her husband, Gerard. “I spoke no Italian at the time, but his family embraced me with a love that needed no words,” she said during a speech at the...
Italy is a bargain for vacationing Americans. Not so much for Italians
The seaside town of Rimini is the Jersey Shore of Italy: From here to the port town of Ancona in the southeast, there are more than 40 miles of sandy beaches. It was made famous by native son Federico Fellini, who grow up in the town and featured it in several of his movies, including “Amarcord.” The region, Emilia-Romagna, is synonymous with Italy...
90-year-old Illinois Italian restaurant to be featured on 'America's Best Restaurants'
Another restaurant in central Illinois is set to be highlighted on "America's Best Restaurants." The online show announced it will visit Mona's Italian Foods on June 16. The 90-year-old Italian restaurant was founded by Nildo “Mona” Arthur Bernardi and is located in Toluca. In 2001, the family business opened Bernardi's in Washington. Tony Bernardi...
Caponata: so full of flavor, so full of history
Some dishes strike a chord so profound to become synonymous with memories of a place, a moment, or even a person. Caponata is one such dish for me, intertwined with the memory of a dear friend from Sicily, whose culinary prowess is unrivaled: known for her heavenly caponata, she crafted a somehow secret recipe that continues to mystify all those fo...
Italian Street Festival returns to Indy
Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavors of Italy at the upcoming Italian Street Festival. Taking place on June 9th and June 10th from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at 520 Stevens Street, this event promises to be a celebration of all things Italian. Best of all, admission and parking are completely free! Food enthusiasts and It...
A Typical Day In The Life Of A Study Abroad Student in Rome, Italy
Studying abroad can be a life-changing, formative experience for students. If you’re seeking more from your post-secondary education, it’s an excellent opportunity to consider. John Cabot University exposes students to Rome, Italy's wonders, providing a unique educational experience. Prepare to travel and explore Italy, learning from the rich cultu...
New Cabrini statue boasts an Italian back story
A new statue of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini was unveiled on Oct. 15, 2022, in the courtyard of Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral in celebration of the 75th anniversary of her canonization. Born in Italy, Mother Cabrini was the first American citizen to be canonized, and her statue in Chicago has a great Italian backstory. The sculpture was created by Lo...
Archaeologists Discovered 2,500-Year-Old Ancient Greek Catacombs Using Subatomic Particles
Deep below the bustling city streets of Naples, Italy, researchers used futuristic sounding technology to reveal an ancient Greek tomb that archaeologists for years knew existed but have been unable to access, according to Live Science. The area currently known as Naples was first called Cumae, the first ancient Greek colony in Italy. Around 650 BC...
Beloved Fascino in Montclair is no more. In its place: Gioia Mia
Fascino, the award-winning, 20-year-old, beloved Italian restaurant in Montclair owned by acclaimed chef Ryan DePersio, is no more. DePersio sold it to general manager Mary Cumella, who renamed the restaurant Gioia Mia. The new chef is Logan Ramirez, who was Fascino's chef de cuisine. Ramirez did stints at Gramercy Tavern in New York City as well a...
Newport Italianfest expects to have 120k+ visitors this weekend
The 31st annual Italianfest is returning to Newport this weekend with more than a dozen Italian food vendors, performances and activities. Newport has been a hub for Italian families for generations. In 1991, the former mayor, Thomas Guidulgi Sr., and the former commissioner, Jerry Peluso created the very first Italianfest to celebrate the city’s h...