O is for Old-School Italian
by Dan Curd No other country has had a greater impact on American taste than Italy. Even though in recent years we've been bombarded by globalization and multiculturalism, the Italian brand remains strong. Currently, modern Italian cooking is in fashion, spawning restaurants like Lombardino's, Cento and Osteria Papavero. Yet for...
From produce to pizza: The Glorioso's legacy in Milwaukee
Stand even for a moment on the landing just inside the doors of Glorioso's Italian Market on Brady Street and your olfactory system will be stimulated, not only by the spicy, yeasty and vegetal odors of a typical grocery environment, but also by the pungent aromas of Italian cheeses and spicy Italian sausage. "People from Philadelphia or N...
Italian beef has landed: Portillo's to open in Brookfield on July 19
The Italian beef has landed. There are officially less than two weeks before Chicagoland's fast-food staple opens its first location. The state's first Portillo's will open at 17685 W Bluemound Rd. on Tuesday, July 19. The restaurant that specializes in Chicago-style fast casual fare, including Italian beef and loaded hotdogs, also se...
'50s theme still hopping at Garibaldi's
With its 1950s décor and music, Garibaldi's is known as the place for a party. Whether that's a Girl Scout bridging, an end-of-the-year junior high band party, a milestone birthday or a reunion, there are bound to be crowds in the party room or hanging around the claw machine. "It's just one of those things," general manager Steve Carlson...
Top 5 reasons to attend CincItalia Festival
Between Italian culture, live music, a wine garden and meatballs with marinara, there are plenty of reasons to love the Cincinnati Italian Festival. The fifth annual CincItalia begins Friday, May 16 at Harvest Home Park, presented by St. Catharine of Siena Parish and School. In celebration, the organizers brainstormed the top five reasons...
Sbarro Bankruptcy Update: $148M Reorganization Plan Lifts Pizza Chain From Darkness
Sbarro emerged from bankruptcy protection Tuesday. According to the Associated Press, the pizza chain's $148 million re-organization plan went into effect Monday following a judge's approval May 19. The company will now relocate headquarters to Columbus, Ohio to cut expenses and work closely with its new entity, Pizza Cucinova. R...
O' Sole Mio closes Batavia, St. Charles locations
In the warmly-lit corner of Batavia's O'Sole Mio Friday, friends Jaime Gutierrez, Kalley Gutierrez and Kari Kraus sank back into their couch's cushions, sipped their drinks and took in the final moments of their favorite neighborhood spot's last day. Kids press their noses against the glass of the gelato case a few feet away. A group of customers...
Stefani's Mad Social Opens, Serving Food Late Night In The West Loop
by Ashok Selvam It's a big day for the Stefani family as Mad Social finally opens, allowing Gina Stefani to branch out in the West Loop. Take a tour of the space here, as Stefani teams up with chef Mariela Bolanos and takes the torch as Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants' first new spot in 14 years. Stefani's Italian heritage and...
Suzy Pacifico, Server at Guarino's for Half of Its 100 Years
By Nikki Delamotte Once a Prohibition-era speakeasy, the humble storefront of Guarino's (12309 Mayfield Rd., 216-231-3100, guarinoscleveland.com) in Little Italy opens to a lush interior, its Victorian decor a reminder that you've arrived at one of Cleveland's oldest dining institutions. Inside, next to the grand piano in the fron...
Buon Appetito: D’Urso brings taste of Italy to Collinsville
Today, Rita Palumbo is flying back to Naples, Italy, after spending a few weeks visiting, and cooking with, her daughter Tiziana D'Urso in Collinsville. For Palumbo's last full day of her visit, the mother and daughter had a lunch of traditional Mediterranean foods they spent all morning cooking. However, that menu isn't much differen...
New home for Italian Villa, same great pizza
Wether it's pizza or good conversation being served, it can be like a slice of home at Joe's Italian Villa Inc. "We're probably on our fourth or fifth generation of customers," said Frank Serio, who co-owns the Palos Heights restaurant with his wife, Jane. "People tend to keep coming back. They're more than just customers; they're friends." ...
Marco’s Pizza Creates a Taste of Italy in America
By Charles Payne, Matthew Kazin In this Salute to American Success, we're taking a look at Marco's Pizza, a pizza restaurant franchise headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. The company focuses on using fresh ingredients to create authentic Italian pizza. Marco's Pizza was founded in 1978 by Pasquale "Pat" Giammarco. When he was nine-year...