Nominations for Honorees who will be recognized during Cleveland Italian American Heritage Month in October 2024 are being requested by the Cleveland Italian American Heritage Committee. The categories for nomination include:  Arts & Culture, Business, City or County Employee, Individual, Public Servant, or Youth.  Anyone is welcome to submit an ho...

For the past three years I’ve been dodging tips from friends and readers, who’ve suggested that I travel across town to dine at Antica Italian Kitchen in Avon. When it comes to driving long distances to review Italian restaurants, I’m definitely a “once bitten, twice shy” kind of guy. But earlier this year, I ran out of excuses. That’s when owner F...

The Wickliffe Italian-American Club recently hosted their first Italian-American Heritage Day, an event they hope to expand on in the coming years. Located at 29717 Euclid Ave., the club’s free event took place June 1 and featured pony rides, face painting and a balloon artist for children, as well as a bocce target game for kids to learn how to pl...

After being in business for over twenty years, Scotti’s Italian Eatery has gone through a lot of rough times recently and has come out on the other side. In July of 2019, the owner was ready to call it quits due to the road work that closed the I-90 exit at East 185th Street. His loyal customers rallied around him, and he changed his mind and decid...

It was a momentous evening at Undo’s West in St. Clairsville, as the Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival held their media night to kick off their 41st year of the event. Rita Carapelotti from Steubenville was recognized as this year’s Italian American of the Year, and 12 lucky winners of scholarships also got their chance to shine tonight. Chairman...

People discuss pizza differently than they talk about pasta, smash burgers or matzo ball soup. From message boards to social media, the dish comes with a healthy dose of zealous online debate. The latest circular obsession percolating through social media hails from a spartan storefront in Old Brooklyn. Cleveland’s newest “best pizza” is open just...

Flo's Italian Market is expected to open this fall on Main Avenue. "It's wonderful to welcome a new locally owned business," said project consultant Jamie Baker. Owner Alisha McLaughlin said that they are still working on finishing the storefront and perfecting the recipes. "We've been making cupcakes and cannolis for all of our friends and neighbo...

Lola Jacaj, formerly Sema, is days away from opening her third restaurant, Oliva. The new Warehouse District eatery joins its immediate neighbor Acqua di Dea (formerly Acqua di Luca) and Casa La Luna (formerly Luca Italian Cuisine). Following a split with chef-partner Luca Sema, the names of the restaurants were changed.Oliva (408 W. St. Clair Ave....

As far as I know, I don’t have one bit of Italian heritage, but after my experience last weekend I am prepared to be adopted by someone who does. My husband, Mike, and I had the pleasure of attending the Italian Cooking School offered at the Sons and Daughters of Italy lodge in Bellaire on April 8. We had both visited the club on its pasta nights i...

Last summer, Mount Granita Italian Ice upped its game when it traded in its seasonal sidewalk cart for a tidy storefront in Little Italy. Located near the intersection of Mayfield and Murray Hill, the shop (2024 Murray Hill Rd.) will open for the season on Wednesday, May 1st.As always, owner Christopher Giancola will kick off summer with the popula...