Beloved Italian restaurant on East 185th was saved by its neighborhood
There's been a lot of construction on East 185th Street, and while major investments are being made to position it as Cleveland's next popular neighborhood, a restaurant at the heart of it all stands as a testament to the street's past, and anchor for its future. Scotti’s Italian Eatery is where food, reasonable prices and warmth have kept customer...
Ron Onesti talks about how growing up on Taylor Street made him into the successful businessman he is today
WGN Radio’s David Hochberg, in for Bob Sirott, is joined by Ron Onesti, President & CEO at Onesti Entertainment, Arcada Theatre, and The Des Plaines Theatre. Listen in while Onesti talks about his Italian-Chicago roots and how growing up on Taylor Street has made him into the successful businessman he is today. Onesti also shares some fun Onesti En...
Santino’s Little Italy celebrates Italian cuisine
Back at home, the kitchen is the heart of my house. While most families spend their time in living rooms, my family tends to gather in the kitchen, usually because my grandma is cooking up something for dinner that night. Coming from a family of Italian immigrants, I have very high expectations for Italian restaurants. Last Friday, a couple of my f...
Tony Award-winner, Chicago stage champion Frank Galati dies
Frank Galati, an actor, director, teacher and adapter who was a pivotal figure in Chicago's theater community and a two-time Tony Award winner, died Monday. He was 79. Galati won twin Tonys in 1990 — best play and best director — for his adaptation and staging of Steppenwolf’s production of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” starring Gary Sini...
Fincantieri CEO talks US frigates, vision for Europe’s naval sector
The building of new U.S. Navy frigates in Wisconsin is about to get more efficient thanks to the introduction of techniques used to make luxury cruise ships in Italy. The Italian company Fincantieri, which is constructing Constellation-class guided-missile frigates at its stateside Marinette Marine yard, plans to implement processes it perfected bu...
Eats of the Week: Cummare's offers Italian-American comfort food
“I would say that we are classic American-Italian comfort food,” Cannell said and then she added, “and pizza. That’s comfort food, too.” Customers would say that Cannell is right on all accounts. Pizza is comfort food, the atmosphere at the restaurant located just south of the Jackson County Courthouse is welcoming and the pasta is pure comfort. Sh...
Scardina Specialties Reopens in Riverwest
Enter the brick building at 715 E. Locust St. and you’ll find a cozy deli accented by warm lighting, whitewashed walls and handwritten menu boards. A collection of scenic photos and prints of Italy hang among cheerful strands of tinsel as the smell of onions and slow-cooked tomatoes wafts from the kitchen. In short, the long-awaited return of Scard...
Italian Hall Victims To Be Remembered
The Christmas season is generally considered a happy time of year. In the Copper Country, though, that happiness is tempered by memories of a long-ago tragedy. One hundred nine years ago tomorrow, striking copper miners were holding a Christmas Eve party for children on the upper level of the Italian Hall in Calumet. As more than 400 people packed...
Joe’s Italian Grill in Roseville plans early January opening; restaurant currently hiring
A new Italian restaurant in Roseville is planning to open Jan. 3, 2023. Joe's Italian Grill announced the opening on its Facebook page. It will fill the former Noni's Grill space at 28560 Gratiot Ave. The restaurant hasn't released its menu yet, but it did say that alcohol won't be served at the grand opening, as it is waiting for its liquor lice...
Columbus Day back on Clinton Township calendar
After four weeks, the Clinton Township Board of Trustees has again designated its paid holiday for township employees on the second Monday in October as Columbus Day. The latest switch came at the board’s Dec. 5 meeting, effectively reversing a name change for the October holiday on the 2023 employee calendar from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples...
Backstage with Ron Onesti: Dick Biondi - Chicago's own music treasure
There is a cup of hot cocoa in front of a crackling fire in the fall. There is peacefully floating on a raft on a small river in Tennessee. And there is sundown in the mountains of Colorado. As soothing, comforting and embracing as those things are, just as special is the voice of radio legend Dick Biondi. Which is ironic, since he is referred to a...
Petty Officer Third Class Leonardo Aiello
One of four children, Leonardo Aiello was born in Bagheria, Sicily, to Angelo and Angela Buttitta Aiello. He grew up near grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides of the family. Among his favorite meals were two Sicilian specialties his grandmother prepared. Cuccia, a “soupy dish” of ceci beans and whole wheat kernels, was served on th...