Sotto breathes new life into the century-old Italian Village
My sister, Madeline Shea, and I have been coming to the Italian restaurant La Cantina in downtown Chicago since the respective ages of eight and seven, so it wasn’t without trepidation that we visited its successor, Sotto, for the first time in early December. The cheeky, Italian American bar (Bar Sotto) and restaurant (Ristorante di Sotto) combo f...
Puccini’s Pizza, Carmel, Indiana
I’ve been a longtime fan of Puccini’s Pizza & Pasta. We’ve been regulars for years, and honestly, I don’t see that changing anytime soon! Between the excellent food and the friendly service, Puccini’s checks all the boxes for a great dining experience. Today, I took advantage of their lunch special, which I highly recommend. For just over nine buck...
Nittolo's Little Italy To Open In Traverse City's Warehouse District
One of Leelanau County’s most popular restaurants is expanding to Traverse City, MI. Eric Nittolo, owner and head chef at Nittolo’s Seafood & Pizza in Lake Leelanau, is preparing to open a new restaurant concept called Nittolo’s Little Italy in the Breakwater complex on Garland Street. Nittolo tells The Ticker that demolition is underway to convert...
Visit to Parasson's Italian Restaurant in Akron is like a trip to the past | Local Flavor
It was like taking a trip back in time. My parents would take us to eat at Parasson's when we would visit relatives in Greater Akron. And when they opened a Parasson's in Ashtabula not far from my childhood home in Conneaut, we would often have dinner there. Later when I found myself at Kent State, I would eat at the Parasson's in Stow. There was a...
Christmas at Caputo’s: Nostalgic Holiday Traditions at an Italian Grocery Store in Chicago’s Suburbs
You probably remember the old-time cartoon characters – Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, and others – who picked up the scent of delicious food and then magically floated through the air, following their noses to the good smells. I had a similar sensation over 40 years ago, walking into Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Market in Elmwood Park (2400 N. Harlem Ave.) fo...
Nando Milano a Central Illinois standout
Nando Milano Trattoria in Champaign, Illinois, was the only Italian restaurant named among the “Best in Central Illinois” by Eater Chicago. “Guests can expect to pay $100 per person for dinner before drinks and tip, and yes, lest you think your eyes deceive you, that is a $600 bottle of wine on the list,” Eater writes. However, the high prices are...
Sotto Brings Elevated Flavors To The Basement Of Italian Village
Chicago’s oldest Italian restaurant is opening a basement eatery with an elevated menu and relaxed vibe that owners hope will attract a younger crowd. Sotto opens Thursday in the basement of the sprawling Italian Village Restaurant, 71 W. Monroe St., following an extensive makeover. It replaces La Cantina Enoteca, one of the restaurant’s three dini...
Beloved Italian restaurant Balena is popping up in Chicago early next year
Just a few weeks after we published a piece about the 23 local businesses that Chicagoans wish they could bring back from the dead, Boka Restaurant Group reached out to reveal its intentions of running a Balena pop-up—one of the very eateries mentioned in the story—from January 19, 2025 through January 26, 2025 at the Wellsley (504 N. Wells Street)...
Taste: Take time to enjoy the 'slow food' experience at Cosimo & Susie's
When customers think of Cosimo Rulli, they don't think of a Bit of Italy, they think of a lot of love. The 89-year-old proprietor of Cosimo & Susie's A Bit of Italy exudes that emotion with his wife at the Italian restaurant he and Susie have run for the past 35 years at Town & Country Shopping Center. Rulli calls the food "slow food," cooked and p...
Roncadin Opens New Plant in the USA
On November 18th, Italian frozen pizza maker Roncadin officially opened a new production plant in Vernon Hills, Illinois, marking a significant step in its U.S. expansion. The 7,000-square-meter facility, which employs 100 staff, houses a production line capable of producing 30 million pizzas annually, using carefully sourced ingredients and tradit...
Costa’s Ristorante a dining destination in northwest Illinois for over 30 years
The menu at Saro Costa’s restaurant may be well-rounded, but it didn’t get that way by cutting corners. That’s because when you sit down at Costa’s Pizzeria and Ristorante in Byron, you’d be hard-pressed not to find something you’ll like. While Italian fare is his bread and butter (and that bread’s made from scratch, he’s proud to say), he’s got a...
Pizzeria DiLauro A Slice of Tradition in Chagrin Falls
Nestled in the charming village of Chagrin Falls, Pizzeria DiLauro, an East Coast inspired pizzeria, stands as a testament to the timeless appeal of authentic, handmade pizza. This family-owned pizzeria has become a beloved fixture in the local dining scene, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere where customers feel like family, and each bite tel...