Scarpetta, a posh Italian restaurant, opening in Rittenhouse Hotel
by Michael Klein Scarpetta - a three-star New York Times-rated, modern Italian restaurant based in the Lower Manhattan Meatpacking District - will set up later this summer within the Rittenhouse Hotel's vacant, bilevel Smith & Wollensky space. The deal had been rumored since last summerand was confimed Monday. Scarpetta i...
Carrino Provisions Brings Brooklyn Vibe to Jersey City
by Laura Kusisto Increasingly, a trip to Jersey City for a meal can feel like one has crossed the wrong river and ended up in Brooklyn. So it is with Carrino Provisions, a new "Italian marketplace" with a coffee bar, deli counter selling meat, cheese and other items and restaurant, Osteria. A trio of Brooklyn restaurant alums—chef...
Making Authentic Prosciutto in Morris County
By Suzanne Zimmer Lowery In Mount Olive, the Fratelli Beretta company is bringing hundreds of years of Italian meat-curing expertise to creating fine salamis, prosciutto and hams. The company, founded in 1812 in Barzano, in northern Italy, is now in the hands of the eighth generation of Berettas. Although they have been making Coppa ham p...
Two wine specialists celebrate landmark anniversaries
By Pam George In 1981, after six years of living in Europe, Linda Collier and her husband, a DuPont Co. employee, moved back to the United States. While living abroad, they'd developed an appreciation for wine — so much so that they brought 600 bottles of wine back in a furniture container. It didn't take long for her to realize that most...
Papalani Gelato opening first South Florida shop in Delreay Beach
Delray Beach is getting a new gelato shop just in time for the scorching heat of summer. What sets this gelato apart from all others? It's blend of Italian craftsmanship with the tropical flavors of Hawaii. Hawaii's Papalani Gelato is set to open its first South Florida location in April at The Shoppes at Addison Place (16950 Jog Road, Del...
Aroma, an Italian BYOB, to open in Washington Square West
by Michael Klein The dreamy corner spot at Pine and Quince Streets in Washington Square West last occupied by the Farm & Fisherman (and Paul, before that) will become a white-tablecloth BYOB called Aroma. Antonio Cardillo and business partner Susan Dennis promise a quick turn-around for Aroma (1120 Pine St.), perhaps opening within a mont...
Marino Brothers moving to Glen Elk
by Jim Davis Marino Brothers, a popular eatery and deli in North View for over two decades, is moving to Glen Elk. The establishment best known for its sausage and sandwiches outgrew its West Virginia Avenue location a few years ago, owners Jimmy and Frank Marino said. "Rather than expand over there, this building came open," Jimmy Marino sa...
Vita Bella restaurant opens in Oaks Shopping Center
If you've been planning an eating trip to Italy, you may want to reconsider your intentions after visiting Vita Bella Pizzeria & Restaurant, where the proprietors are thoughtfully bringing Italy to you. The family-owned and operated eatery tucked away in Oaks Shopping Center brings a much-needed dose of authentic Old World charm and warmly...
Jersey City's soon-to-close Thirty Acres scooped up by buzzy chef Ryan DePersio
By Vicki Hyman Kevin Pemoulie's ambitious — maybe too ambitious — Thirty Acres in Jersey City will be closing up in November, but another acclaimed young chef will be taking over the space: Ryan DePersio of Montclair'sFascino, Jersey City's Battello, and Nico Kitchen + Bar at Newark's NJPAC. The space itself needs little work, so...
Bella Sorrellas
I was surprised to find the bar nearly full when I visited Bella Sorrellas on Sept. 11. It wasn't even 5 p.m., and already a friendly group of regulars had gathered to chat and raise a glass. That day is still a somber one for most people in our area, so it was comforting to enter an establishment that gave off such a warm, welcoming vibe,...
Chester chocolatier hosts Italian chocolate-maker
by Sarah Griesemer J. Emanuel Chocolatier in Chester welcomes guest Giovanni Borreca, owner of Il Nudo Napoletano confection shop in Avellino, Italy, for an afternoon of free chocolate demonstrations and tastings from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at 461B Main Street in Chester. Borreca will discuss the Italian process of making choc...
The Italian Place Brings Taste of Europe to Old Town
When it comes to international cuisine, Old Town is no slouch. Mexican, Thai, and sushi, just to name a few, find themselves well-represented within the community. But unlike some cities in the Northeast, where bodegas and international markets dot the landscape block by city block, the realm of Italian markets has been sorely lacking in Alexandria...