Hundreds of enthusiastic spectators crowded onto Havemeyer Street in front of the Shrine Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Sunday, July 9, to witness a Catholic tradition that dates back to 1887 Italy: the hoisting of the seven-story Giglio. Part of the 12-day Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in honor of the Virgin Mary, the Dancing of the Gig...

A Williamsburg parish officially began the 136th annual Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast, a street festival full of Italian eats, music and games, with an opening mass and processional on July 5. The 12-day festival, which dates back to 1887, celebrates Italian culture and tradition with tons of vendors selling authentic cuisine and sweet treats, gam...

A new shop, The Swirl, recently opened in James-York Plaza offering gelato imported from Italy. The Swirl offers 14 different flavors of gelato that change regularly depending on the season. It also offers a Flavor Burst, a traditional swirl cone infused with flavors. While ice cream and gelato are similar, they aren’t the same. The Food Network ex...

Sandwich staple, Regina’s Grocery (45 South 3rd St.), recently opened a new location in Williamsburg next to the trendy gastropub and nightclub, Freehold. The small chain, known for its Italian sandwiches and salads, already has two locations in lower Manhattan.  The North Brooklyn outpost of Regina’s Grocery opened about two weeks ago and told Gre...

He received a calling — to the kitchen. As pastor at Williamsburg’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish, a chaplain to the FDNY and chairman of Emmaus Center, a Catholic arts organization, Jamie Gigantiello is one Monsignor with a whole lot on his plate. And when he’s not feeding his flock spiritually, he’s whipping up a heavenly pasta p...

Williamsburg’s treasured Settepani Bakery (602 Lorimer St.) is turning 30, and the Settepani family is inviting the whole neighborhood to celebrate with them. Settepani’s 30th Birthday Party, complete with great food, drinks, and music, will take place on October 23 from noon – 3 p.m. at 602 Lorimer Street. Settepani Bakery is a family-owned busine...

Thousands of New Yorkers gathered in Williamsburg for a jam-packed Sunday at the 119th annual Giglio Feast. The events kicked off Wednesday, all in the name of tradition. The celebrations continued Sunday, as people walked the streets of Williamsburg carrying the more than two-ton Giglio statue on their backs for the big Giglio Tower Lift.  Towerin...

Experience Italy without leaving Williamsburg at Bacàn (79 Grand St.), an Italian bistro and bar that opened a few months ago in the neighborhood. The restaurant aims for guests to feel transported to Venice through the food, design, and ambiance.  The restaurant’s interior is inviting with small decadent details that escalate the experience. There...

There is no shortage of fantastic bakeries and coffee shops in North Brooklyn, but a new one serving up traditional Italian pastries deserves recognition. Recently opening on December 20th in North Williamsburg, Bianco Latte (109 Bedford Ave.) is an all-day Italian cafe inspired by Venetian flavors located steps from McCarren Park.  It’s no surpris...

After a successful run as a local pop-up, Macchina is officially a Bedford Avenue staple. The team behind Williamsburg restaurants Roebling Sporting Club and The Bedford announces is opening of the second outpost of Macchina, an Italian-American restaurant and pizzeria located at North 11th and Bedford. Macchina’s original location opened in Midtow...