Antonio's Cucina Italiana's Anthony Rugiero Featured as Speaker
Anthony Rugiero is proud to be part of a first generation Italian American family that values fundamental beliefs taught by his parents, Antonio Sr. and Enrica (Rita) Rugiero. He understands the value of hard work and commitment. In 2008, after the passing of his father, Anthony took over as president of the original Roman Village Cucina Italiana i...
A Chicago la II edizione dell'Italian Food & Wine Expo
Italian Food & Wine Expo è l'unica fiera negli Stati Uniti interamente dedicata alla cucina italiana di alta qualità e al vino. Organizzato dalla Camera di Commercio Italiana Americana di Chicago, in collaborazione con ItalianExpo.us, l'evento offre alle aziende italiane l'occasione di trovare qualificati partner americani, e, a compratori ame...
Alegretti's Bakery preps for St. Joseph's Day rush
It's early on a Thursday morning in March, and Alegretti's Bakery in Norridge is slammed with customers waiting eagerly in line to order the bakery's locally-famous pastries, doughnuts, and cookies before they run out for the day. Alegretti's, first opened in 1947 by Tony Alegretti at the same Norridge strip mall where it still stands toda...
Mario Batali wants you to have your "holy jeez!" moment
by Michael Gebert Mario Batali may be the most celebrated Italian restaurant chef in America at the moment. He's unquestionably the most recognizable—imposingly big, bookended by orange hair at one end and his trademark orange clogs at the other end, equally trademark vest in between. Having established his image visually, not to...
Italian Restaurant to Open in Highwood in October
by Tim Moran Ballaro, a restaurant which will offer a contemporary take on Italian food and drink, will open in downtown Highwood in late October. Developed by lifelong friends and area natives Josh Kaplan and Mark Newman, Ballaro - inspired by Palermo's Ballaro market - is at its heart a destination-worthy neighborhood restaurant...
Il Porcellino, Italian restaurant taking over Paris Club, opens Thursday
Relaxing with a glass of Italian wine sounds pretty darn good right about now. On Thursday, River North gets another spot where you can do just that: Il Porcellino, a trattoria from the Lettuce Entertain You empire. The restaurant, a partnership between chef Doug Psaltis and sibling trio R.J., Jerrod and Molly Melman (kids of Lettuce found...
Look Inside Dolce Italian, Bringing 'La Dolce Vita' to River North Tuesday
by Brett Hickman Just announced yesterday, Dolce Italian is set to open on the ground floor at the Godfrey Hotel this coming Tuesday. This marks the second location from LDV Hospitality (the team behind New York's Scarpetta empire), with the first being in Miami. The space, which you can see in the gallery above, is refined, but n...
A Taste of Home at Carmella’s Café
by Ben Lariccia La Gazzetta spoke with co-manager of Carmella's Café, Lisa Kelso. La Gazzetta (LG): Good afternoon, Lisa. Thanks so much for inviting La Gazzetta to your restaurant. The minute you walk in you see old family photos. That's not a photo-shopped display. Tell us about your family. Carmella's: Yes, those are real fami...
Fratellos has been part of the landscape for more than 40 years
Fratellos does not have an apostrophe in its name. That's because "fratellos" means "brothers" in Italian. And the Lakemoor restaurant was really started by brothers Larry and Lou Carvelli in a tiny trailer back in 1975. Today just one brother, Lou, of Westchester, is at the helm of the casual eatery, which serves local favorites like Chicago-styl...
The Early Word on Nico Osteria
Opened on the same day as Chicago's new Italian mega-store, Eataly, One Off Hospitality's newest venture, Nico Osteria has hit the Gold Coast with a bang. Its chef-driven Italian cuisine, sophisticated cocktails, creative desserts, all-star cast, and elegant interior inside the Thompson Hotel has drawn mostly positive reaction. Open for less than t...
Chicagoland Italian American Professionals presents "Living la dolce vita"
Salvatore J. Sciacca and the Chicagoland Italian American Professionals personally invite you to an exclusive event on July 24th at A Tavola Restaurant: "Living La Dolce Vita" Experience a most memorable evening. Networking in the beautiful outdoor patio Upscale dining at A Tavola Restaurant including a glass of fine wine, grill...
Eataly Chicago presents Osteria Valentino
For those who want to celebrate Valentine's Day by enchanting their other half with a delightful dinner for two, Eataly Chicago is pleased to offer a unique pop-up restaurant that will be open for one night only: Osteria Valentino. We will combine our restaurants La Carne, Il Pesce, and Le Verdure to create one unique dining room where guests will...
