The Off-the-Radar Italian Road Trip We Almost Want to Keep to Ourselves
There is nothing quite like standing eye to eye with the Temple of Hera at Tavole Palatine, a 6th-century BCE Greek temple in the Basilicata countryside. In front of me are 15 massive Doric columns and a bunch of brush, and the only noise is the whir of occasional cars passing along the strada statale. I feel as if I’ve walked onto a set from Clash...
The team behind Doppio Zero to debut Italian American concept Johnny & Sanny’s in downtown Mountain View
Downtown Mountain View’s newest restaurant isn’t meant to feel new. Step inside and go back in time – servers wear black bow ties, the menu offers classics like Cobb salad, meatballs and cioppino and old black-and-white Italian and American films play on loop. Johnny & Sanny’s is a nostalgic Italian American concept from the team behind Doppio Zero...
Opera archive honoring famed Italian tenor donated to library
Arecent archival donation to the Performing Arts Collection at UC Santa Barbara Library opens a new door for researchers, historians and opera fans with the establishment of the Enrico Caruso Jr. Collection, named for the son of legendary Italian tenor Enrico Caruso (1873–1921), a pioneer in the history of sound recording. The trove of rare recordi...
How one Jewish woman fought the Nazis — and helped found a new Italian republic
On Nov. 9, 1943, 22-year-old Teresa Mattei watched a train full of fellow Florentines pull out of Santa Maria Novella Station, bound for Auschwitz. On the train was Teresa’s former classmate Lascan, who was arrested with her family, and another friend Uzielli, who, Teresa recalled, “had a voice like an angel.” Few could have imagined the grim reali...
An Italian American Haunt Is Reborn in Williamsburg With Arancini Salad
After restoring Kellogg’s Diner last year, the same team has turned its attention to reimagining another longtime Williamsburg haunt: JR and Son. Opening on Friday, May 2, at 575 Lorimer Street, at Metropolitan Avenue, the address was long ago an Italian social club, but in its later life, it was more known as a crusty dive bar — until its closing...
Rock icon Danny Seraphine
One of the architects of the iconic rock group Chicago, Danny Seraphine has never lost touch with his roots on Chicago’s Far Northwest Side. Danny Seraphine first picked up a set of drumsticks at 9 years of age, beginning a musical roller-coaster ride that gave the world some of the best-loved pop hits of our lifetime. Sixty years ago, the 17-year-...
Mondeghili: Milan's hearty meatballs… with a long story to tell
Who doesn’t love meatballs? Fried, in tomato sauce, on top of pasta, or on their own, they are the ultimate comfort food. Used to the deliciousness of my own grandmother’s polpette al sugo, a staple of my childhood — which I attempt to make often, even though they quite never hit the spot as much as those nonna made — I was surprised to learn, whil...
Rocco’s Ristorante hits 25 years of family-style flavor
This year, Rocco’s Ristorante Pizzeria in Walnut Creek entered its second quarter century in operation. Its walls feature pictures and memorabilia showing the history of a proud Italian-American family. Rocco Biale started the establishment in 1999. Born in San Francisco, he lived with his family in the upstairs unit of his grandfather Giovanni’s b...
From Italy to everywhere: How Caprese salad became global favorite
Caprese salad, with its simple yet vibrant combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, has transcended its Italian roots to become a global culinary icon. Celebrated for its fresh ingredients and the way it captures the essence of Italian cuisine, its journey from local specialty to international favorite highlights how food can serve as a cult...
Petersen x Macchinissima Presents: Dolce e Veloce
When: Sunday, June 8, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Where: Petersen Automotive Museum 6060 Wilshire BoulevardLos Angeles, CA, 90036United States L.A.’s ultimate celebration of Italian automotive passion is back! This year, our all-Italian cruise-in honors Festa della Repubblica and unites a vibrant community of enthusiasts, industry insiders, an...
Bologna's leaning tower to be stabilised by late 2028, mayor says
A leaning medieval tower in the centre of Bologna that was cordoned off due to the risk of its collapse is expected to be stabilised and restored by late 2028, the northern Italian city's mayor said on Tuesday. Like the more famous Tower of Pisa, the 12th-century Garisenda tower has leaned for centuries, as the ground on which it was built gave way...
New Italian restaurant opens in Sarasota with a 'Famous Meatball Bowl' on the menu
A new Italian restaurant has opened in Sarasota, taking over the former space of another eatery, and featuring the former owner of a Bradenton restaurant, that served the same cuisine. Bella Vita (Italian for "beautiful life") Italian Kitchen recently opened at 501 N. Beneva Road #250, in the former space of New York Slice Company and in the same p...