Fred Rotondaro had a knack for friendship across DC divides
Washington's Catholic community lost one of its great personalities this week when Fred Rotondaro died at his home after a battle with brain cancer. He was 78. Fred is survived by his wife, Kathy; his children, Cara and Vinnie (Vinnie wrote for NCR for a time); three grandchildren; his sister Mary; and several nieces and nephews. He also left behin...
The Epic Outdoor Food Fest In Pittsburgh You Simply Cannot Miss
Summer means the arrival of the festival season. From community festivals to church fairs, Pittsburgh promises something to do just about every day during the steaming summer months. Perhaps the most recognizable outdoor food fest in Pittsburgh, Bloomfield Little Italy Days is also a celebration of all things Italian. Soak up the sights, sounds, an...
Honorary Mayor Vendetti ‘committed’ to Central Delaware
Dr. Dina Vendetti came to Dover in 2000 from York, Pa. to answer St. John’s Lutheran Church’s call for a principal to lead a kindergarten through eighth-grade facility to add to its existing preschool. Seventeen years later, she’s built a program that serves 55 students and has become a celebrated figure in central Delaware’s business leader atmosp...
Scalessa's Italian Kitchen offers classic dishes, convivial setting
I'm not sure on my own if I would have stumbled upon Scalessa's Old School Italian Kitchen, a newish Italian eatery deep in the heart of Wilmington's Forty Acres neighborhood. It's parked on a mostly residential area at the corner of Shallcross Avenue and North Lincoln Street in a brick building, painted gray, that dates back to the 1920s. Some may...
With Capo Italian Deli in Shaw, owners aim to create delicious deja vu
Brian Vasile and Andy Seligman, the owners of Brickside Food & Drink in Bethesda and Grand Central Bar in Adams Morgan, were lunching in the District awhile back, mulling their next project, when the New York natives started reminiscing about how much they missed the neighborhood Italian delis of their youth. Seligman was particularly enthusiastic...
Jefferson's Monticello is better preserved than his democracy
Thomas Jefferson’s grave marker lists only three of his life’s achievements: author of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia statue of religious freedom and founder of the University of Virginia. Being the third president of the United States didn’t make the cut. I visited Jefferson’s home, Monticello, for the first time during a recent...
'Italian Bred' Staten Island native brings her play to Paramount
Watch for actress/playwright Candice Guardino's "Italian Bred" at the famed Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, N.J., Sunday, July 30, at 3 p.m. Based on true life events and told through the eyes of a little girl growing up Italian in Woodrow, in "Italian Bred," Candice slips in and out of multiple family characters while sharing the stage with came...
Chef Spotlight: Pat Trama of Trama’s Trattoria in Long Branch
Chef Pat Trama grew up in an Italian American family steeped in traditions that focused on faith, family and food. While he was offered a full scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America, he gave it all up in order to work with the likes of powerhouse chefs Charlie Palmer, David Burke and Pino Luongo, before eventually going back to his roots...
Livoti’s Old World Market to open soon in Middletown
Livoti’s Old World Market will soon provide locals a taste of Italy as owner John Livoti, prepares to open his third and largest location at The Marketplace at Middletown on Route 35. This week, his team of workers was putting the finishing touches on the approximately 15,000-square-foot store. Livoti said he hopes to hold the grand opening on July...
Festival spotlights Italian heritage and more
It was a great time to be Italian. Cascade Park hosted the annual Italian Festival over the weekend, featuring a variety of food from the old country, as well as such other favorites as music, a baby doll dance and bocce and morra tournaments. “The music is great, but we’ve driven up every year for the last seven years for the food,” said Tony Izon...
Hard work produces great food at Tuscany Italian Market
Though Vinny LaFranca and Sal Faenza grew up on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean nearly 5,000 miles apart, they shared two unique things in common – a love of great Italian food and a strong work ethic. Sicily native LaFranca, 50, moved to Brooklyn with his family when he was 12, working at a salumeria (pork shop) at 13 and managing a deli in B...
Candice Guardino to Bring ITALIAN BRED to New Jersey This Summer
Candice Guardino will visit New Jersey with ITALIAN BRED this summer after successful shows in NYC, LA and Chicago, where she received rave reviews and played to sold-out crowds. July 30th is her Asbury Park, NJ, debut at the Paramount Theatre, followed by Morris Museums Bickford Theatre in August. A new take on solo shows is exactly what Candice d...