Italian-themed Gina’s Gelato & Java opens in Parma Heights
The sweet taste of Italy has arrived in Parma Heights with the opening of Gina’s Gelato & Java. “Gina’s Gelato & Java was something that came out of a desire to open a venue in our community,” said Jeff Caro, who owns the new business with his wife, Gina Lloyd. They live in the city. “We come from a line of food service industry families. We sold o...
Farmo Launches “Farmo Five” in Chicago
Italian health-food company Farmo has officially launched production of gluten-free Mac & Cheese at its newly inaugurated “Farmo Five” manufacturing site in Elgin, Illinois, marking a significant step in its US expansion strategy. The facility—Farmo’s first in North America—is designed to meet rising demand for gluten-free products in the region. I...
Metsi’s to Bring Italian-Inspired Comfort to Short North in Columbus, OH
A fresh concept is coming soon to the Short North as Chef BJ Lieberman prepares to debut Metsi’s, a new Italian-inspired restaurant and bar set to take over the former Hiraeth space at 36 E. Lincoln St. The two-story venue will offer a more accessible and comforting dining experience than its predecessor, with a focus on handmade pastas, Mediterran...
Nittolo's Little Italy Comes to Downtown Traverse City (MI)
Craving a pizza or a hearty bowl of pasta? You’re in luck: Nittolo’s Little Italy, from restaurateur Eric Nittolo, is slated to open downtown in the Warehouse District in this April, pending licensing and approvals. The new spot was built out in the space where Cut & Run used to be, next to The Tasting Room on the ground floor of the Breakwater bui...
Original Antonio’s Pizzeria going back to its roots in Parma
The iconic Antonio’s Pizza at The Shoppes at Parma closed its doors for good last year after the death of Grace Loschiavo, who started Antonio’s Pizza in 1967 with her husband, Tony. But members of the Loschiavo family are keeping the Parma pizza institution alive with the new Original Antonio’s Pizzeria, planned for 5722 Chevrolet Blvd. at Parmato...
Experience upscale Italian dining at Theo’s Italian in Plainfield
Theo’s Italian is a restaurant under the Cunningham Restaurant Group umbrella. Located in Plainfield, Theo’s Italian serves a variety of Italian dishes, including pasta, salads, appetizers, and sandwiches. The restaurant’s menu is designed to offer a wide range of Italian cuisine options, ensuring there is something for everyone. They stopped by th...
Scorpacciata’s Seasonal Italian Is a Farm-Fresh Approach
Long before he became a restaurateur, Peter Reuter had the Italian word “scorpacciata” permanently inked on his forearm. The technical translation is “big feed,” calling to mind a long table full of all your Italian relatives passing around homemade platters. Reuter connects to the word’s more symbolic meaning, which relates specifically to seasona...
Iconic 'leaning tower of Pisa' appears in very unexpected location
Among the most distinctive landmarks in Chicago's northwest suburbs is Niles' unexpected Leaning Tower. This architectural curiosity is a precise half-scale version of Italy's famous Pisa tower, rising 94 feet tall with a 28-foot diameter and leaning a significant 7.4 feet, according to the town's website. But what led to this striking Italian trib...
Tenuta's deli celebrates 75 years of business in Kenosha
If you're looking for some genuine Italian cheeses, sausages or other delicacies and you're anywhere near Kenosha, chances are you're headed for Tenuta's. On Tuesday, that beloved deli celebrated 75 years in business. It was 1950 when John Tenuta opened his small corner market in Kenosha. Since then, the place has grown, both in size and in popula...
The origin story of Manzella’s Italian Patio
For nearly 60 years, the Manzella family has cooked Italian food in Champaign. Before he opened his own restaurant, Frank Manzella made pizzas at the old KAMS, using his own recipe. His from-scratch pizza was so popular that he started his own business, first selling home-baked pizzas out of his vehicle. He opened his first brick-and-mortar restaur...
Italian pastry & coffee chain opening first Central Ohio location
Rumor has it (A.K.A, TikTok) that if you order a cappuccino in Italy past 11 a.m., the Italian baristas and servers will poke fun at you (that has never actually happened to me in my travels to Italy, and I order a cappuccino at dinner when I’m there, by the way). Fortunately, that’s not the case of Central Ohio’s first Qargo Coffee location, where...
Anichini Bros. celebrates 100th anniversary
This year, Anichini Brothers celebrates 100 years of their family-operated business. The company has grown from a small grocery store with prime cuts of meat and high-quality sausages to a wholesale food-distribution company based at 545 N. Wells St. in Chicago. Silvio Anichini started the business with his brothers after emigrating from Lucca, in...