Andiamo owner freshening feel, flavors of restaurants
by Frank Witsil Andiamo owner Joe Vicari is on the move again. After leading his restaurant group through a sluggish economy, Vicari hopes to give it a more casual feel to attract younger customers — and generally freshen up the restaurants as Detroit recovers. At the same time, he said, he wants to hold on to the things that...
Legendary Panino's Pizzeria Places High at the 2015 International Pizza Expo
"This was our first completion in the World Pizza Games in Vegas and it was tough competing with the 230 exceptional pizza artisans from all over the world," said Bruno Brunetti. "It was an honor to compete in those divisions and a thrill to see us do so well, along with Leonardo taking Top 10 overall in the Italian Neapolitan Pizza Division." &nb...
Lake Zurich student wins Future Chefs contest with Italian panini
The savory smells of basil, cheese and pizza dough permeated throughout the Lake Zurich High School cafeteria on March 20 as 15 elementary school students furiously competed for the title of District 95's top chef. Students had about 90 minutes to cook, saute, garnish and present their creation for the district's first-ever Future Chefs sa...
Gelato Café recognized by World Gelato Tour
At 12 p.m., a fresh batch of caramel gelato is being prepared in the backroom of Golosi Gelato Café while a couple orders Italian coffee in the dining area. By 1 p.m., the chef receives a phone call for a bulk order of gelato for a same-day party while another pair of customers orders in store. "My customers know me, and they trust me," co...
Campo di Bella winery delights with farm-to-table dinners
Growing up in Chicago, the concept of running a farm in Wisconsin never crossed Mary Ann Bellazzini's mind. "However, my grandparents did have small garden plots in the city where they raised tomatoes, lettuce and herbs, so I remember washing lots of lettuce growing up," she said, noting her grandparents also made wine. Now she and he...
The Early Word on Eataly
Open since December 2, Eataly, the larger-than-life castle of consumption, has become the buzz not only in Chicago but the entire Midwest. No one, even Eataly bigwigs Mario Batali, Joe and Lidia Bastianich, or Adam and Alex Saper, could have predicted the amount of popularity this Italian emporium has garnered thus far. Due to 120,000 visi...
Italian Ice Cart Stirs Discussion on Food Trucks for Downtown Glen Ellyn
Glen Ellyn village board trustees discussed options for food trucks in its downtown during a recent meeting, according to media reports. The owner of an Italian ice cart recently requested a spot downtown and the discussion among trustees has centered around how Glen Ellyn should handle such requests and if food carts "affect brick-and-mor...
Restaurant review: Boccardi's Taste of the Hill
By Carol Sponagle Children's menu? No, but staff will accommodate. What I ordered: My date (husband) and I ordered a gluten-free sausage and pepperoni pizza and the nightly special: spinach and cheese stuffed shells with meat sauce, which included Boccardi's special salad and a basket of fresh rolls. Dessert was limoncello cake and cannoli....
5 Stars to Forno Rosso Pizzeria Napoletana Chicago, IL
Just when you think pizza can't get any better in Chicago (the best pizza town in the world), along comes Forno Rosso to make you rethink everything you knew about pizza. This is not your classic Chicago Style Deep-Dish Pizza. Nor is it your classic New York Thin-Crust Pizza either. Forno Rosso Napoletana is in a class by itself! This plac...
Spiaggia Voted the Best Italian Restaurant in Chicago
by Kate Kolenda Decades before the likes of Mario Batali and Michael White brought us the most recent wave of fine Italian dining, Tony Mantuano taught Chicagoans how to enjoy refined Italian fare at Spiaggia. Taking a cue from its name, which means "beach" in Italian, the food is inspired by the coast. Mantuano has won countless accolades...
Portillo's coming to Chicago's South Loop
Close your eyes and imagine this: A juicy hot dog with everything on it, Hot Italian beef with peppers, a decadent chocolate shake - and not having to go all the way to River North to get it! That's right, Portillo's is planning to open a second Chicago location in the South Loop. Mark your calendars: According to the Chicago Tribune,...
M Italian Mails in Standard Italian-American Fare in Chagrin Falls
by Douglas Trattner I'm a bit of a car guy, so I was thrilled to watch — and listen — as some of the sweetest rides known to man thrummed on by. There was a cherry-red Ferrari F430 Spyder convertible, steel-blue Porsche 911 Carrera, and coal-black Maserati Quattropporte. You might assume that I was at some swanky motoring show, but I was m...