Cheers! Italian winemakers invade Florida
There will be no weapons beyond corkscrews, so I can promise you a very pleasant Italian Invasion this month as local wine importer, Nadia Galati, organizes a multi-city wine tasting event partnered with ABC Fine Wines and Spirits. For the 10th anniversary, there are more Italian winemakers than ever before from the tip of the boot in Cala...
South Florida Food 50: Giovanni Rocchio of Valentino Cucina Italiana
by Evan S. Benn Why he's Food 50: He's following in his father's footsteps and keeping alive the Valentino tradition of serving some of the best and freshest Italian food around. Giovanni Rocchio had an attachment to Italian kitchens from a young age. His father, Tony, opened Valentino in Plantation in 1974, and young Giovann...
Amici aims to please customers through great food, service
Above the doorway to the newest Amici Italian Cafe, prominently located at the corner of Flat Shoals and Parker roads, is emblazoned a slogan for the restaurant — "Pizza, Wings, Friends" — which sums up well the food and mood at this family-owned establishment. Mike Torino, the father of Amici founder and vice-president of brand developmen...
Marchio Ospitalità Italiana award
The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce will organize the 5th edition of Marchio Ospitalita' Italiana Award Ceremony on May 25th, 2016 at 7.00 pm at Mia Cucina, 105-107 Miracle Mile , Coral Gables. Unioncamere (the Association of Italian Chambers of Commerce) with the support of the Italian Government, have constituted the ce...
Two South Florida pizzerias make national list
Pizza offerings in South Florida are as deep and delectable as they have ever been, but the region — and state — came up thin in a recent ranking of the nation's best pies. Only two pizza restaurants that began in Florida made the annual 101 Best Pizzas in America list compiled by the Daily Meal website: Scuola Vecchia Pizza e Vino in Delray Beach...
Local Italian restaurant to open 2nd location
by Sean Phipps Chattanooga's popular Italian concept restaurant Il Primo will open a second location at Cambridge Square in Ooltewah. Restaurateur Nathan Lindley and property managers Legacy Real Estate & Development plan to open the 4,000-square-foot location in June 2017. The location will be across the road from Heaven and...
Chefs Showcase a Taste of Miami at NYCWFF
As all vacation hot-spots know, there's a peak and an off-season. For Miami, this is no different. The crazy summer heat deters tourists leaving the hospitality industry twiddling their thumbs patiently awaiting the next surge of visitors. In response, The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau introduced Miami Spice: A "restaurant...
Villa Italian Kitchen coming to Galleria mall
New Jersey-based Villa Italian Kitchen plans to open its first Alabama location at Hoover's Galleria mall next month. Restaurant owner Ahmed Nadeem confirmed this week he has leased 1,000 square feet of space in the Galleria's food court, next to McDonald's. Nadeem said the concept will feature a large menu that will range from New Yo...
New Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato to open in The Preserve in Hoover
by Jon Anderson Benard Tamburello is no stranger to the restaurant business, and the new pizzeria he wants to open in The Preserve subdivision in Hoover aims to help make strangers become friends. Tamburello, who has been in the restaurant business in the Birmingham area for 22 years and currently run Bernie's on Main in Columbian...
Taste Of The Town: Mina’s Mediterraneo
By Lisa Petrillo Welcome to Mina's Mediterraneo, an upscale but totally approachable neighborhood eatery off 79th Street in Miami. Owner Yasmine Kotb, a native of Cairo, Egypt, grew up in Texas where she gained an appreciation for family-style eating using her Mediterranean background as the base for her food. "It's a regiona...
Leaf turning into new Italian restaurant from Michael Toscano
by Hanna Raskin Almost a year after relocating to Charleston from New York City, celebrated chef Michael Toscano has announced plans to open a restaurant in the space currently occupied by Leaf. Le Farfalle will feature "regional Italian food," with an emphasis on housemade pasta, vegetables and seafood, according to publicist Nicole...
Carla Pellegrino on Her New Restaurant, Touche
by Ana Heretoiu Vegas starlet Carla Pellegrino is hard at work on her newest restaurant, Touche Restaurant & Lounge. It's the very first time she's serving dinner past midnight, she has a teeny kitchen and staffing is proving difficult, but overall, the Top Chef alum seems wildly excited about everything that's coming together at Touch...