Staten Island Nightlife: 'Oh What a Night;' the big Italian party at Villa Paradiso
“Oh what a night!” The big Italian party continues to live on — bigger than ever — at Villa Paradiso in Great Kills. The dining spot is nestled behind the former Pathmark Plaza of Great Kills — where there’s a celebration going on week after week. And last night was no exception. Situated off Greaves Avenue and Amboy Road, the casual, 150-seat Ital...
Seasoned Regional Italian Cooking Vets Return to NYC With Da Toscano
Michael Toscano — an acclaimed chef known for his work at shuttered Italian restaurant Perla — has returned to NYC to open a new Italian restaurant in the original Perla space at 24 Minetta lane, at Sixth Avenue called Da Toscano. The Italian restaurant, a partnership with his wife Caitlin, is an amalgam of his cooking from his days at Perla, which...
Staten Island Nightlife: Italianissimo, the Arrochar dining spot that's hosted generations
Executive chef Franco Ortega is filled with fond memories of the days when he began his culinary career at the former Il Ponte, the Arrochar dining spot that would eventually morph into Italianissimo Ristorante, Café and Bar. That was more than a quarter century ago. Then when owner, Gianvito Fanizza retired 2006, chef Franco and a partner bought...
Expect Authentic From-the-Boot Dishes at this White Plains Italian
Yes, the new La Botte Ristorante — located in the space that once held Uno Pizzeria and Grill — serves Italian fare, but don’t expect any dish ending with parm, marsala, alfredo, or scampi. There’s a whole other world of Italian food, one that’s closer to what’s eaten in Rome or Florence or Naples, and these are the culinary traditions La Botte fol...
It’s New: Kim Cooks & Caters serves Italian eats baked in Staten Island history
Kim Cooks & Caters, an intimate Italian spot that opened its doors in October, was a dream come true for Kim Leo. Over the years, the Staten Island chef found herself in the kitchens of successful restaurants around the borough -- from Dock’s Clam Bar in Richmond Valley to Sofia’s Taqueria in Rosebank. Her food roots go back to the family business,...
Hamptons' Dall'Erta named Chef Ambassador
A man who whips up fine Italian and fresh local produce, seafood and meat by the stomach-full in downtown Sumter was chosen to represent South Carolina in an effort to entice tourism and promote agriculture. Raffaele Dall'Erta, the executive chef at Hamptons and its upstairs bar, Rafters, was named one of four participants in the 2020 South Carolin...
Italian Food & Football: Where to Watch the Super Bowl in NYC
The Super Bowl game day feels like a real American holiday. Football fans or not, people will likely tune in with family and friends to enjoy the excitement of the game, Jennifer Lopez half-game show, and the iconic commercials. Food is a crucial element of any Super Bowl watching party, often served in the form of tasty snacks and easy to pick up...
Bravo Pizza comes to the former Gennaro’s location
About two weeks away from opening Bravo Pizza, workers polished new stainless steel counters and recently installed kitchen equipment. This restaurant and sports bar soon coming to New Dorp has some big shoes to fill, said Mike Libretta, one of the owners. “I want it to be a great neighborhood place," he said, invoking the name of the building’s fo...
Italy’s Fast Cars And Slow Food Celebrated At 92nd Street Y
Car enthusiasts (and foodies) who didn’t get enough after watching “Ford v Ferrari” are in luck. Food historian and author Francine Segan will present two talks and tastings that take a closer look at the car and food culture of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy known as "Motor Valley." Located in the north-central part of the country, it is home...
Job Opening: Food and Wine junior market analyst in New York
The New York office of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) is seeking a full-time Food and Wine Junior Market Analyst. The ideal candidate should have the following qualifications: A degree in Economics, Business Administration, Marketing and/or Communication; Experience in the food and wine trade industry in the Italian and US markets; Understanding of...
Is This the Best Tiramisù in New York City?
When it comes to Italian desserts, it doesn’t get more iconic than tiramisù. Sure, arguments can be made for the importance of cannoli and bomboloni, budino and torta di mele, but—at least in Italian restaurants in the U.S.—no sweet is more popular than the cocoa-dusted “pick-me-up.” (Except maybe gelato—but that’s really more a staple than a desse...
NYC Restaurant Week: 7 Italian Restaurants to Discover
Restaurant Week returns for its 28th edition—offering the opportunity to dine in some of the top restaurants in New York on a budget. More than 350 restaurants in 45 diverse neighborhoods across all five boroughs will offer prix-fixe meals including two-course lunches and brunches for $26 and three-course dinners for $42 (tax and gratuity not inclu...