Tradition at Ferraro’s Italian Grille traced to 1957 in Sicily
By James A. Jones JR. Frank LoGrande embraced life in the United States when he moved to Brooklyn from Italy with his family at age 15. Now 63, he carries on the family restaurant tradition at Ferraro's Italian Grille, 8348 U.S. 301 N., Parrish, that dates to 1957 in Palmero, Sicily. Since buying the restaurant in 2008, he ha...
Lucali’s Brooklyn pizza lives up to the hype
by Victoria Pesce ElliottThere is pizza, and then there is Lucali. And while some are griping about the prices, even carbo-phobes should make an exception for this much-ballyhooed Brooklyn pie. Its puffy, cracker-thin crust and fantastic toppings inspire fans to wait up to two hours for a seat at the New York flagship. Miami Beach's suddenly hip S...
Doris Italian Market & Bakery under construction in North Palm Beach
Construction is underway in North Palm Beach for the sixth and largest Doris Italian Market & Bakery, a South Florida grocery chain in business since 1947. Doris Italian Market has built a brand around authentic Italian-American deli food and a fresh selection of meats, seafood, fruits and vegetables. The new store also will have...
La Moderna opens at Sunset Harbour Shops
La Moderna, an Italian bar and restaurant, is joining a number of businesses at Sunset Harbour Shops in Miami Beach. The restaurant's interiors were designed by architect Roberto Liorni, and include an Italian-crafted copper bar and a Stefano Ferrara handmade brick oven. Among its menu items: spaghetti with Osetra caviar, fresh oysters and crispy l...
Saint Leo to open this month
Emily Blount — (not to be confused with actress Emily Blunt) — was also once a working actress in New York City. Today, she's Oxford's newest restaurant owner with plans to introduce Saint Leo this month at 1101 Jackson Ave. East. Blount grew up in northern California outside of San Francisco. She attended Emerson College in Boston and pur...
Surfer Joe's brings Italian ice to Cocoa Beach
by Suzy Fleming Leonard I thought I knew what Italian ice was. In my high school days, I briefly worked at a New Orleans-style snowball stand. Same thing, right? It took a visit to the new Surfer Joe's Tropical Ice in Cocoa Beach to make me see the error of my ways. Where snowballs, snowcones and other chilly treats are...
Pizza Pazza in Omni: We Get a First Bite
By Valeria Nekhim Pizza Pazza, a Neapolitan-style pizzeria on 18th Street at Biscayne Boulevard, is just shy of celebrating its two-month anniversary, yet it already has repeat customers -- including ones straight from Naples, Italy. We assumed they were locals after we witnessed a lively exchange of air kisses and hugs with chef/owner Sa...
Italian restaurant replaces Diner 71
Maryville has an Italian restaurant once again. This past weekend, Luigi's Italian Restaurant opened its doors for the first time, taking over the space vacated by Diner 71. Moving to Maryville has been in the works for the Oklahoma-based restaurant, according to owner Roberto, who wished to have his last name withheld. Read...
Master Italian Wine at Toscana Divino and Ironside Pizza, hosts of Two NA Sommelier Association Courses
There is no better way to learn about Italian wine than from Italian Sommeliers. And, to further enhance the wine tasting and education experience, this year's Miami presentation of two North American Sommelier Association (NASA) courses will take place at Toscana Divino (Mary Brickell Village) and Ironside Pizza (Upper East) – two restaurants know...
Roberto Cavalli's Miami restaurant to open in November
Not happy with just designing great watches, clothing and homeware, Roberto Cavalli has revealed plans to open a new restaurant. The fashion guru has revealed details of the Cavalli Restaurant and Lounge on his blog. Based at Miami Beach on the infamous Ocean Drive, the two-floor Art Deco Villa boasts the largest terrace in the area and i...
Belmont pizzeria owner confident about Italian bistro in Gastonia
Jerry Simonetti knows the checkered history of the commercial space at 141 W. Main Ave. in Gastonia. He understands that seven restaurant and/or bar ventures have opened there since 2007, only to close unceremoniously for various reasons. But the successful owner of Simonetti's Pizza in Belmont isn't letting that deter him. "Yes, it's...
At Manzo's Italian Deli in West Palm Beach, "If You Put Your Name On It, It Better Be Good"
by Darrin Willhite "If you put your name on it, it better be good." That's Michael Manzo's philosophy, at least. It's his name you'll find on the front of Manzo's Italian Deli in West Palm Beach. And his fingerprints are on everything his customers order. "Nothing goes out without me seeing it," says Manzo, something he learned from...