From line cook to restaurant owner, Padalino knows food
Giulio Padalino has two Palermos: the Sicilian town he grew up near, and the recently-renovated restaurant he owns in Bordentown. He also owns the Palermo’s in Roebling. Padalino was born in Casteltermini, an old-fashioned little town near Palermo, Sicily, with “horses on the street and chickens running around”—as seen in the Godfather films, he sa...
"Italian-Inspired Fresh Food Marketplace" Coming to Downtown Newark
According to Lonnie Soury, who represents the RBH Group, the company is finalizing a transaction with Aldo Sartore of ITA Concepts, who is "the co-founder of the Eataly vision", "to locate a 10,000 square foot 'first-of-its-kind' Italian-inspired fresh food marketplace in Teachers Village".However, although the Newark Community Economic Development...
Spirito’s in Elizabeth Ranked Nationally as One of the Top Italian Restaurants
Landmark restaurant Spirito's made MSN's national listing of the top Italian eateries, ranked as 18 out of 50. As described on MSN, “If you’re from a certain part of northern New Jersey, there’s about a 100 percent chance that you’ve heard of Spirito’s, and an equally good chance that you’ve been there.” Established in 1932, the still family run re...
Italian Station opening downtown March 14
Italian Station, a Europe-themed coffee bar and casual eatery, announced it will open March 14 at 620 Caroline St. in downtown Fredericksburg. The business is the newest project by Vinny Vitale, the owner of Vinny’s Italian Grill & Pizzaria and Basilico Italian Market/New York Deli, and will be run by business partner and general manager Anita Cros...
Pocono Brewing Company to reopen
The Pocono Brewing Company, also known as PBC, is coming back. And it may feature beers like Big Pocono and Grey Towers. The restaurant is reopening sometime in April under the new management of its owners after closing a year ago. It will spotlight Italian-American food offerings and a variety of on-site brewed beers in a family atmosphere. Silvio...
Jose Garces' new Italian restaurant is a simple success on its own terms
When it comes to new restaurants from star chefs, the first course - expectations - will inevitably be reckoned with before we even take a bite. So here was my first thought at 24 Wood-Fired Fare before I even took a sip of See the Joy, a gimlet rimmed with smoky paprika, or nibbled on those meatballs bobbing in gravy: Why did Jose Garces open a pi...
New Italian-themed EATalian to open at former Strapazza's site in Towson
Signage at 12 Allegheny Ave. shows that a new restaurant, EATalian Bistro, is "coming soon" to downtown Towson. The last restaurant in the space, Strapazza, also an Italian-themed restaurant, closed suddenly in April. A note still left on the door reads "thanks for 25 years of support." Signs at EATalian Bistro, which stretches for several storefro...
White House Sub Shop enjoys its 70-year history in A.C. and looks forward to future
So many area restaurants claim to be “legendary,” but it takes more than just lasting a long time to earn that title. At the top of the heap of truly legendary places sits the White House Sub Shop. Celebrating its 70 years of existence at the corner of Mississippi and Arctic avenues in Atlantic City, the White House isn’t just legendary, it’s a his...
The Red Hen – Eat your heart out Italy
A friend and I were grabbing drinks one day and decided we needed something to soak up the alcohol… I mean, have a nice dinner. I was complaining about how DC does not have decent Italian food when my friend grabbed my arm and said with a sense of urgency that we HAD to go to the Red Hen. Therefore, I obliged. The Red Hen is on the outskirts of DC...
Festival directors fear state funding cuts but aren't new to them
Fairs and festivals across our state could take a big hit if lawmakers cut over $4 million in state funding. That's on the table right now, but what's also there is the governor's goal to support fairs and festivals by doubling the tourism budget. The directors of some local festivals say they would have to downsize a lot if they lose their largest...
Yorktown eatery Centrale focuses on hospitality
Roberto Bellissimo, owner of recently-opened Centrale Italian Kitchen and Bar, said he's been a sous chef at New York City’s famed Le Cirque and worked for a group of restaurants with locations at 9th Avenue's Chelsea Market and in Europe, among other things. But, in talking about Centrale's hospitality, he draws on memories of his grandfather deli...
Catelli Duo raises curtain on worthy second act in Moorestown
When it was announced that Marc Vetri would close the Moorestown Mall location of his Broad Street restaurant, Osteria, pasta fans scarcely had a moment to fret that their appetites for Bucatini all’Ama-triciana would go unfulfilled. A second location of Catelli Duo was set to open in the space. Finally, last fall, that second helping arrived. The...