Nostalgia alert: This classic dish at Primavista might bring a tear to your eye
When it comes to old-school Italian restaurants, no one in Greater Cincinnati does it better than Primavista in East Price Hill. The restaurant, which opened in 1989, is not a Sinatra-era lounge like Maury’s Tiny Cove – nor a checkered tablecloth, Italian-opera-filled joint like Scotti’s. But the classic Italian American dishes prepared by chef Chr...
Void Restaurant Brings Italian-American Cuisine To Former Moe’s Tavern In Avondale
The revitalization of Avondale (IL) along Milwaukee Avenue continues as the area’s newest restaurant, Void, has opened. Void opened last week at 2937 N. Milwaukee Ave. after an extensive renovation to the space, which was formerly Moe’s Tavern, an old-school dive bar that closed during the pandemic after more than 10 years in business. Void serves...
Torchio triumph: A pasta bar worth the hype
The Torchio Pasta Bar, nestled in a 19th century building at 738 N. Wells St., Chicago (IL), has been a beloved culinary gem for years, and its allure only continues to grow. As a recent convert, I'm finally experiencing the buzz firsthand, spurred on by friends who couldn't stop raving. “ You have to meet the owner Bill, he’s a real charmer,” they...
How The Italian Beef Became A Chicago Icon
Most people outside of Chicago associate the Windy City's cuisine with two dishes. First and foremost, there is Chicago deep-dish pizza, ever the center of "is it really pizza" debates. Right behind it is the Chicago-style hot dog, famed for its ardent anti-ketchup stance. It's curious how these two dishes came to define the perception of Chicago c...
Sorrento’s in Maple Park celebrating 50 years in business
A Maple Park steakhouse known for its Italian and American food is inviting the community to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Sorrento’s Restaurant, 50 W. 187 Route 64, Maple Park (IL), is hosting Sorrento’s Big Day on Aug. 22, and the public is invited. Promotions at the dining establishment will run throughout that week, and patrons are invited to...
Mia Francesca Opens in Lincolnwood
Scott Harris Hospitality announced the grand opening of Mia Francesca in the vibrant community of Lincolnwood on Thursday, August 8. Located at 4436 W Touhy, Lincolnwood, IL 60712, this new restaurant brings Scott Harris Hospitality back to its roots. Mia Francesca, known for its authentic Italian cuisine and welcoming atmosphere, has been a corner...
Chicago Hot Spot Tre Dita Is a Spectacular Ode to Tuscan Cuisine
Fiercely protective and understandably proud of its manifold culinary delights, the sun-splashed Italian region of Tuscany launched an initiative called Vetrina Toscana to promote authentic fare around the world. The group has now designated its first certified Tuscan restaurant in the U.S.: Tre Dita, which just debuted at the towering St. Regis Ch...
Chicago's Buonavolanto family celebrates over 40 years of Italian beef tradition
There's nothing more quintessentially Chicago than an Italian beef sandwich. Ask any local where to find the best one, and you're sure to get a variety of passionate answers. Yet, one family has been serving its beloved recipe for over four decades, passing down the tradition through generations. Meet the Buonavolanto family, the force behind Buon...
After 78 years, Glorioso family welcomes new owners for Italian market
Since 1946, Glorioso's Italian Market has been a staple in the Milwaukee community. Owned and operated by Teddy and Rosemary Glorioso, the locally owned grocer has made an indelible mark on the East Side community and beyond, selling high-quality Italian products and providing exceptional customer service. Nearly 80 years after founding the local g...
Bring Your Appetite: Carfagna’s Market & Ristorante Strengthens Namesake Family’s Legacy
“Don’t shop on an empty stomach” is advice designed to prevent impulse purchases at the grocery store. If you’re visiting Carfagna’s culinary campus in Polaris, however, I might suggest the opposite: Come hungry. For nearly 100 years, Carfagna’s has been a Columbus institution. Founder Saturnino “Sam” Carfagna opened his first market in Linden in 1...
John’s Italian Restaurant in Rockford celebrates 50 years
It may not be an official historic landmark, but John’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria in Rockford has been a mainstay in the city since the 1970s. The popular eatery is celebrating its 50th year in business this month. John’s started in 1974 as a takeout place near the corner of 11th Street and Harrison Avenue. Five years later, it moved to its cur...
Springfield Italian eatery will move to downtown Urbana
Eatly, a seasonal Springfield (OH) restaurant, will soon move to a larger location in downtown Urbana and open year-round. The restaurant, which has been open at 601 N. Fountain Ave. since 2021, will be “steps off the square” in Urbana. While it will continue serving its traditional Sicilian fare, owner Tom Thompson said he will add homestyle foods...
