Gratzi, which touts a "modern, fresh approach" to Italian cuisine, is opening soon in Midland. The restaurant will open to the public at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, inside The H Residence development in downtown Midland at Ashman and Main streets, according to a Mainstreet Ventures Inc. news release. Mainstreet Ventures is the restaurant management...

All restaurants have a story, but the one behind Amerigo is better than average, not just the history of a place but a testament to a man, a vision, the vagaries of fate. Ben Brock was a kid when he went to work at Amerigo in Ridgeland, Mississippi. A college student who started as a dishwasher and worked his way up to wait tables and tend bar, he'...

Before Frank Catalanotto knew just where he’d open his new restaurant, he knew exactly what he’d be cooking and he had a name nailed down too. Nephew’s Ristorante will be a tribute to his family and its long history cooking for New Orleans. The “nephew” refers to Catalanotto himself. His uncle is the late Tony Angello. The new restaurant will serve...

If you hold the stereotype that a very good restaurant cannot be located in a staid office park, Luca West will change your mind. Luca and Lola Sema opened the western outpost of Cleveland's Luca Italian Cuisine late last year on busy Detroit Road in Westlake. Sequels in movies and restaurants are not sure bets, but the suburban location is humming...

Want to go old-school with a 50-50 pork-and-beef split like Nonna used to make? Or try a different take on meatballs by going global and adding some cumin or ginger for Turkish and Asian flavors? No matter what style you’re craving, here are 16 sweet places around Boston that put a saucy spin on a comfort-food classic.  1. Aria TrattoriaIt’d be rem...

Everyone’s had that crush: somebody laid-back, attractive and fun, but not necessarily your go-to guy for consistency. Sometimes he’s completely charming; other times he shows up late, wearing sweatpants and smelling like weed. When he’s good, he’s very good. When he’s bad, he’s a mess. And sometimes he makes you feel fat. That’s my relationship wi...

The latest culinary upgrade at the iconic Mirage transports us to the seaside villages of Southern Italy. At Osteria Costa, the focus lies on spectacular seafood dishes like the frutti di mare salad—loaded with poached shrimp and squid, bright cherry tomatoes and shaved radish—and a classic linguine and clams; but the menu stretches comfortably to...

Italy has this thing called “aperitivo.” Go out for drinks after work and get free appetizers. It’s one of those la bella vita traditions I keep wishing would catch on in America. I’m doing my part to make that happen at Sangiovese Italian restaurant on Indianapolis’ north side. From 4:30 to 6 p.m. daily, aperitivo happens at Sangiovese’s bar. Buy...

It didn’t take long for the Rachel’s Mediterranean location to fill up at the corner of Delaware and Chippewa. Bruno Italian Grill was apparently waiting in the wings, to swoop in and grab the vacant storefront. The Italian eatery will join numerous other restaurants on “The Chip Strip”, as the district continues to transition from night life party...

During the President's Day long weekend, the Mister and I journeyed to the south end of Manhattan to visit the Seaport District (aka/fka South Street Seaport). As both of us hadn't visited the area since pre-Hurricane Sandy, we were excited to see the new restaurants, stores and buildings that have redeveloped the area from yesteryear. However, we...