Italian restaurant replaces Diner 71
Maryville has an Italian restaurant once again. This past weekend, Luigi's Italian Restaurant opened its doors for the first time, taking over the space vacated by Diner 71. Moving to Maryville has been in the works for the Oklahoma-based restaurant, according to owner Roberto, who wished to have his last name withheld. Read...
Italian-American Club honors vets at party
During a recent party put on by the Italian-American Club at St. Raphael's Catholic Church, several veterans were honored. Among those was Edward MacLean who just turned 94 on March 30. While others had stories about their time overseas, MacLean noted that he had been in the invasion of Normandy, only not by water, but by armed helicopter,...
Master Italian Wine at Toscana Divino and Ironside Pizza, hosts of Two NA Sommelier Association Courses
There is no better way to learn about Italian wine than from Italian Sommeliers. And, to further enhance the wine tasting and education experience, this year's Miami presentation of two North American Sommelier Association (NASA) courses will take place at Toscana Divino (Mary Brickell Village) and Ironside Pizza (Upper East) – two restaurants know...
The new look of South Street Philadelphia
One of Philadelphia's most famous streets is experiencing a big boom. The South Street District has over 400 businesses and more opening all of the time. Kawaii Kitty Café and Natuzzi. are among the newcomers. Natuzzi is South Street's first upscale Italian Furniture Store. It's a really great line, well-suited for cit...
Roberto Cavalli's Miami restaurant to open in November
Not happy with just designing great watches, clothing and homeware, Roberto Cavalli has revealed plans to open a new restaurant. The fashion guru has revealed details of the Cavalli Restaurant and Lounge on his blog. Based at Miami Beach on the infamous Ocean Drive, the two-floor Art Deco Villa boasts the largest terrace in the area and i...
Play bocce ball! Northern Kentucky mayors gather for a Newport Italianfest tradition at Pompilios
On a day when the rain and clouds disappeared by late afternoon, Pompilios Restaurant hosted more than 15 elected or appointed officials in shirt sleeves or ties on two soil courts for bocce ball. About 30 spectators drank in the action. For Ken Rankle, mayor of Dayton, Ky., the annual bocce ball game at Pompilios is the only time he plays...
Belmont pizzeria owner confident about Italian bistro in Gastonia
Jerry Simonetti knows the checkered history of the commercial space at 141 W. Main Ave. in Gastonia. He understands that seven restaurant and/or bar ventures have opened there since 2007, only to close unceremoniously for various reasons. But the successful owner of Simonetti's Pizza in Belmont isn't letting that deter him. "Yes, it's...
The ties that bind (and chafe)
For Matt Decapua and Marina Re, rehearsing for Florida Studio Theatre's production of "Over the River and Through the Woods" has been more than a return to a theatrical venue where they both have performed previously. It's been a literal homecoming. "I knew every one of these characters. I grew up with them. This is my life," says Re, one...
'Jersey Boys' weaves hit songs into story
By Charmain Z. Brackett Mafia threats, gambling debts, infidelity and death are contrasted with catchy music of an iconic band led by a falsetto-singing Italian-American in a Tony Award-winning musical, which is coming to Bell Auditorium Dec. 8-13. Based on the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, whose hits include Sherry, Can't...
At Manzo's Italian Deli in West Palm Beach, "If You Put Your Name On It, It Better Be Good"
by Darrin Willhite "If you put your name on it, it better be good." That's Michael Manzo's philosophy, at least. It's his name you'll find on the front of Manzo's Italian Deli in West Palm Beach. And his fingerprints are on everything his customers order. "Nothing goes out without me seeing it," says Manzo, something he learned from...
Annual gelato contest and potluck social set for Saturday
by Marianne A. Trussell On Saturday, at 5:30 p.m., the Capital Italian American Organization (CIAO!) will be hosting its annual gelato contest and potluck social at Staybridge Suites located in the Summit East Complex at 1600 Summit Lake Drive, Tallahassee, just east of Interstate 10 on U.S. 90 (Mahan Drive). This is CIAO's versio...
Corso family business built on hard work
Frank P. Corso, a hard working Italian immigrant who arrived in Biloxi at age 8, likely would have approved of how his family and their employees marked the wholesale distribution and vending company's 90th anniversary. Everybody worked as normal, filling customer orders, stocking vending machines and generally taking care of the business...