Portillo's Chicago beef and dogs coming to Fishers
By John Tuohy At long last, transplanted Chicagoans and other aficionados of the humble hot dog in Central Indiana may reach culinary nirvana. Portillo's, a much-revered Windy City beef and hot dog stand, plans to open a restaurant in Fishers. Deputy Mayor Leah McGrath said officials from Portillo's met with planning officials in the fall ab...
University of Bologna’s Alma Graduate school to host special Eataly event to promote food and wine MBA program
The Alma Graduate School - the business school of the University of Bologna - will host a special event at 5:30 p.m. on April 11, 2014 at Eataly (43 East Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60611) to highlight the university's MBA program. The 12-month English language MBA program offers a unique concentration in Food and Wine. The presentation is me...
Basta Pasta delivers comforting Italian in Oakbrook Terrace
By Thomas Witom You probably don't need a research firm to tell you Italian ranks among the top three ethnic cuisines Americans crave. For the record, the other two are Chinese and Mexican, says Chicago-based Technomic Inc., which keeps tabs on such matters. So the recent opening of the 250-seat Basta Pasta (translates to: enough...
Italian restaurant Santino's to open soon near Bay View
Santino's Little Italy, an Italian restaurant serving pizzas from a wood-burning oven, plans to open in two weeks at Bay View's northern edge, 352 E. Stewart St. Santo Galati said he expects it will open to the public Jan. 19 or 20; the exact date is expected next week, as is the finalized menu. Galati described the prices as moderate, startin...
Exploring the Chicago tradition of Italian beef sandwiches
The Italian beef sandwich is a mouthwatering culinary masterpiece that shines in its simplicity. A basic Italian beef sandwich contains nothing more than thinly sliced beef marinated in its own juices, slowly simmered gravy and hearty bread to absorb the delectable juice. The final product might be dressed up with sweet peppers or Italian-style pic...
Restaurant Notes: Cipollina set to deliver Italian flavors to Akron
Akron is getting its own rustic Italian trattoria when Cipollina opens next week. Laurie Bordonaro, owner of Guy’s Subs, an Akron standard since 1963, is opening Cipollina next door, at 6 Clinton St. Working with her is Jerry Clementi, a former Aroma owner and Buffalo restaurant veteran. The plan is to open March 9, as Local Restaurant Wee...
Calabria Imports Expecting Busy Day After Appearing on 'Chicago's Best
By Howard Ludwig Pat Roberto expects a busy day on Monday after being featured on WGN-TV's "Chicago's Best." The owner of Calabria Imports in Beverly was part of Sunday evening's episode that pinned a pair of North Side restaurants against two equally deserving spots on South Side. He said the show will now go into regular rotation on WGN's s...
The best in Italian-American sweet treats — now on K-Card
Stepping off the Mount Vernon square into the Ferrari Baking Company, you might never expect to find a tale of true romance that stretches across continents. But that cross-cultural love affair — between two professional bakers — gave birth to this small storefront. About eight years ago, Carlo Ferrari met Denise Davis through a mutual fri...
Sprezzatura pop-up series focuses on regional Italian culture and cuisine
A brand new pop-up concept focusing on the food and beverage of Italy will launch its inaugural dinner series in Milwaukee in January 2017. Sprezzatura, a collaboration between industry veterans Chef Erik Hansen, "liquorist" Jordan Burich and designer Caressa Givens will offer curated dinner experiences focused on regional Italian cuisine...
Balagio Ristorante coming to Mokena
By Bob Bong Balagio Ristorante, an Italian restaurant and banquet hall that has been open in Homewood since 1997, plans to open a second location in Mokena next month. The restaurant is remodeling the former Scrementi's Italian Grill at 9716 W. 191st St. in Mokena's The Boulevard shopping center that closed last year. Calls for comme...
Dedicated volunteer keeps Taste of Italy shining
Some things seem to just get better and better over the years. If you ask Ann Romano about one of those things, she's likely to mention The Taste of Italy. After all, she has been planning the event for the Italian Community Center (ICC) for 19 of its 20 years. "It's always a packed house," Romano tells me. "People know that they should g...
M Italian expands restaurateur’s specialties
by Jacqueline Mitchell Bret Adams started working in the restaurant industry at age 15. Within the next month, the 43-year-old will have three restaurants under his belt, each serving very different cuisines: American, Italian and Mexican. His new establishment, a rustic tavern called M Italian in Chagrin Falls, is in week seven of operati...