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...
Italian Inspiration Fills Milwaukee Caffe in Detroit
Though its name and location both recall a heavy industrial past, Milwaukee Caffe in a former automotive manufacturing neighborhood in Detroit is all about executing the finer details of coffee from within a small but welcoming space. From co-owners Carlo Liburdi and Ashley Davidson, the small shop opened last month in Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction...
Bovaconti Coffee combines Italian cafe vibe, locally-sourced coffee and a nod to Fountain Square history
About three years ago, Justin Jones’ love of hospitality and coffee led him to open Georgia Street Grind in downtown Indianapolis. Then, after finding success with what he calls his “proof of concept” at that location, he decided to turn his attention to bringing a new kind of coffee shop to the city: a neighborhood gathering place, inspired by cla...
Portillo’s, popular Chicago-style Italian beef restaurant, opening first Michigan location
Some Michiganders will no longer have to make the drive to Illinois or Indiana to get their Portillo’s fix. The restaurant chain, known for its popular Chicago-style food, has just announced it will open its first Michigan restaurant. The location of the restaurant will be at Hall Road in Sterling Heights, although it will be a while before it open...
Mina brings aperitivo-style plates to Crossroads Collective
Despite the hardship of the COVID-19 pandemic, creativity continues to blossom in the food and beverage industry, bringing new concepts throughout the city and to places like the East Side's Crossroads Collective, 2238 N. Farwell Ave. Earlier this month, we announced that Thum was bringing the fresh flavors of Lao cuisine to the popular food hall....
Couple met in Milwaukee, spent decades at Michelin-starred Spiaggia, now have a project in Nashville
When Tony and Cathy Mantuano met at Milwaukee’s Nantucket Shores, he was a student at UWM working in the kitchen. She worked front of the house. Food and wine brought them together, but their relationship is the foundation for everything they do. For 35 years, Tony, the founding chef at Michelin-starred Spiaggia, kept Italian dining in the spotlig...
La Fontanella On Oakley Street Closing As Owners Retire After 3 Decades: ‘It Feels Like It’s My Baby’
La Fontanella’s owners are retiring and closing the restaurant’s doors for good after decades of serving authentic Italian cuisine on Oakley Street. For 34 years, husband-and-wife team Gianfranco “Franco” and Maria Gamberale served fresh, traditional Italian dishes like chicken Vesuvio, eggplant Parmigiana and lasagna Bolognese. From the broths to...
Vai’s offers Italian food — both traditional and unusual
“Sharing life over plates” — that’s the motto at Vai’s in Naperville. It’s on the backs of the servers’ shirts and hung on the wall inside. Co-owner Sandy Georganas explains it as coming together over food, over a meal: “Everything about it is inviting, nothing is pretentious.” “We like really good food. We like Italian food,” said co-owner A...
Prima Cucina Italiana Will Open Next Week Downtown
Prima Cucina Italiana will become the newest entry in the downtown dining scene when it opens Monday, June 29, after months of renovation and preparation. According to chef-operator Josh Santangelo, the restaurant at 103 W. Federal St. will feature regional cooking from all over Italy with an emphasis on the cooking of Rome. “It will be Italy Itali...
Nando Milano’s Chef shares about his Italian roots and what’s popular on the menu
Nando Milano is a downtown Champaign staple offering classic Italian dishes. The menu has antipasti (appetizers), insalate (salads), contorni (sides), primi piatti (pasta), secondi piatti (meat and seafood dishes), and dolci (desserts) in addition to family-style specials. I spoke with Nando Milano's Chef Alessio Vullo about where he's from, where...