Chianti Classico CoNNection-Chicago Live
The waning days of the COVID lockdown saw a rare foreign visit to the Windy City, the Chianti Classico CoNNection convened at the Ritz Carlton Chicago for a socially distanced tasting preview of the latest vintages from Italy. Chianti Classico CoNNection was organized by IEEM USA (International Event and Exhibition Management, the Miami-based agenc...
After 40 years, Chicago's Buona Beef gets ready for the national stage
The first Buona Beef opened in Chicago 40 years ago, a 1,500-square-foot spot with 36 seats and no drive-thru that was secured when the owners took out a $10,000 second mortgage. It took 15 years, but the Italian beef concept opened its second location and then developed a plan to steadily add units. Today, Chicago-based Buona Beef recently launche...
Gionino's Pizzeria bringing northeast Ohio-style eats to Westerville
Pizza, “Italiano” fried chicken and jojos – a sort of holy trinity of dishes – have a place at the table and, often, all at the same time, in northeast Ohio. In Columbus, it’s a less common occurrence. Daniel Shackelford and Larry Halpin, lifelong friends, are trying to trying to raise the profile of the trio with the opening of their second Gionin...
Steak and greens: Asti's Italian Steakhouse open at North Braddock's Grand View Golf Club
Even as teenager, Francis Asti knew what he wanted to do with his life. The aspirations he listed in his Maryland high school yearbook include receiving a culinary arts education and owning a restaurant. The 30-year-old, who has been working in the food business for half his life, owns Asti’s Italian Steakhouse located at Grand View Golf Club, an 1...
Contest introduces public to San Marzano DOP tomatoes
The promoters of Pomodoro San Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino DOP are sponsoring a contest to familiarize the public with their product. The winner of the contest will receive a dinner for two valued at $250 at a high-end Italian restaurant in Chicago featuring San Marzano DOP tomatoes. San Marzano DOP tomatoes are known as the “Crown Jewel” of...
Bella Piatti owner to open seafood concept Mare Mediterranean in Birmingham
A new, modern seafood restaurant with Greek, Italian and Spanish influences is coming to downtown Birmingham later this year. Bella Piatti owner Nino Cutraro has teamed up with Jay Feldman of Feldman Automotive to open Mare Mediterranean where Cameron's Steakhouse was at 115 Willits. Cutraro says in addition to offering North American seafood, th...
Esposito seeks help to create culinary oasis
Food and culture are central to the Italian-American experience. The mission of the Mary Ann Esposito Foundation is to preserve that experience for future generations while offering culinary students the opportunity to become the next generation of great Italian chefs. The foundation is currently raising funds to create the Ciao Italia Italian Heri...
Vita Bella Italian Kitchen & Marke
Maybe Ed Carella didn’t have a choice. After all, he’d basically been raised in a pizzeria. His parents, Tina and Angelo, were immigrants from Naples and had opened a pizza and pasta spot in Chicago. Ed spent much of his boyhood working there. “As a kid, I literally grew up in … a pizzeria on the south side of Chicago.” It stuck. Today he is owner...
Italian restaurant from Boka Group coming to the West Loop this summer
The Chicago restaurant group behind Girl & the Goat and Boka is set to open an Italian-American restaurant in the West Loop in late summer. The restaurant will be called Alla Vita, a cheer that translates as “to life.” Chef Lee Wolen, who has worked with Boka Restaurant Group for almost eight years, will lead the kitchen. The menu will include mush...
Chef Anthony Zappola Will Revive the Rice Shop at Van Aken District, Announces Plans for New Ohio City Italian Restaurant
You can’t keep a good restaurant down, apparently. Chef Anthony Zappola will reopen the Rice Shop, an Asian-fusion concept that he launched in Las Vegas, revived at the Ohio City Galley and relocated to University Heights, at the Van Aken District. “I love the concept and it’s always done good, even at the Galley,” Zappola says. “It just seems like...
5 Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago
Below is a list of the top and leading Italian Restaurants in Chicago. To help you find the best Italian Restaurants located near you in Chicago, we put together our own list based on this rating points list. The top rated Italian Restaurants in Chicago are: - Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio – give food that is soulful, surprising, and filled wi...
Pelino’s Pasta Plans Summer Opening for First Restaurant
While the pandemic has found some businesses embracing the pop-up, for Pelino’s Pasta it has meant making things permanent. Husband and wife team Vinny and Christina Pelino will take their traveling, pop-up concept Pelino’s Pasta and make things stationary with their first brick-and-mortar restaurant at 245 King Ave. It will occupy the former home...