Altamura, Italian restaurant from Manhattanjack, now open in the Magnolia Mansion
Late last week, crews were still bustling to put the final details on Altamura, located on the first floor of the Magnolia Mansion. The Italian restaurant from Jack Petronella of Manhattanjack debuts Saturday night (Aug. 20). Here are the basic facts on the Lower Garden District's latest fine dining destination: Petronella took inspiration...
Piccola Gelateria to open on Freret Street
By Robert Morris Freret Street has gained a reputation as a restaurant row, but the husband-and-wife owners of the forthcoming Piccola Gelateria (4525 Freret St.; www.facebook.com/piccolagelateria) hope to make it a dessert destination with international appeal as well. A native of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ria Turnbull is a hotel...
Eater Scenes: Angelo Brocato, Saturday, 3 p.m.
Beloved New Orleans gelateria and bakery Angelo Brocato (or as many call it— Brocato's) has been operating since 1905, when a young Angelo Brocato, who grew up working in ice cream parlors around Palermo, Italy, opened his first store on Ursulines Street in the Quarter. Two of the shop's bestselling desserts, the torroncino gelato— vanilla with cin...
Bella Vita focuses on family, food
The Seji family combines hard work, fresh ingredients, hospitality and a little magic to cook up their warm Italian restaurant, Bella Vita II. The family opened the 25-table Rendon restaurant in January 2001, and has developed a loyal following with their creative cream sauces, hearty marinara, pizzas, pastas and hearty breakfasts. Fa...
Sapore Ristorante Italiano brings authentic flavor to Katy
When father-and-son team Georgios and Christos Batsios took over Sapore Ristorante Italiano last November from previous ownership that operated the establishment for more than two years, they had a vision of upholding the establishment's namesake. The pair said "sapore" translates from Italian as "flavor." The duo—both Katy residents—said...
The Early Word on Italian-American Restaurant Sophia’s
Sophia's debuted early last month in Bess Bistro's former spot on West 6th Street. Owners Matt Deichl, Jonathan Gillespie, and James Brown of BDG Hospitality Group reinvented the space and tapped Mark Sparacino—chef and owner of Prosecco Ristorante in Chicago—to helm the kitchen. Read on for the early word on the contemporary Italian-American suppe...
Executive Chef Maurizio Ferrarese : ” il cibo italiano è un abito di Valentino”
Maurizio Ferrarese, uno chef made in Italy ma che ha scelto il Texas dopo una serie di esaltanti esperienze sia in America che in Europa: come è arrivato a questa scelta? Dopo avere avuto la possibilità di girare alcune parti del mondo, ho fortunatamente incontrato mia moglie Whitney a Chicago, nel 2005. Da li ci siamo successivamente spos...
Owner of popular Cypress restaurants to open Galiana’s Bakery and Cafe in early 2017
A little over a year after opening Marvino's Italian Kitchen, Houston restaurateur David Herrera has announced plans to open an artisanal bakery concept in the same area off Barker Cypress Road. Galiana's Bakery and Cafe is set to open early 2017 at 24110 Hwy. 290, Ste. 500, Cypress. Herrera said the bakery, which is named after his grandd...
Dallas’ Avanti Italian settles into City Place Fort Worth
The exact spot "where the West begins" must have moved. There is no other way to explain Avanti, a sleek Euro-Dallas restaurant on Throckmorton Street in the City Place tower west of Sundance Square. At lunch, servers glide beneath chandeliers to the tempo of what sounds like the Dave Matthews Band. Diners choose from the same menu a...
Coppa Osteria Is Reinventing Italian with Heart and Flour-Covered Hands
By Kaitlin Steinberg On an unseasonably cool October evening the patio outside of Coppa Osteria is full, and chef Brandi Key surveys the crowd like a proud Italian matriarch whose family is enjoying the fruits of her labor. Key then heads inside the bustling restaurant, picking up a plate to deliver to a hungry patron here, bringing a glas...
Leoni's Focaccia in Scottsdale Proves Fresh Bread and Solid Ingredients Make For Excellent Sandwiches
Sandwiches are sacred. Whether we're talking about the perfect Cubano, Philly cheesesteak, or bahn mi, it would seem just about everyone can agree a well-made sandwich is a beautiful thing. And if you happen to a fan of a classic Italian sandwich served on freshly made bread, then there's certainly beauty to be found at Leoni's Focaccia in Scottsda...
1889 Pizza Napoletana brings authentic tastes of Italy to revamped Northwood Shopping Center
Jason and Kelli Kolich's love affair with authentic Italian pizza started at the source. The two studied abroad in Italy during their time at the University of Kansas, and often talked about owning their own restaurant as they embarked on careers in other fields — he in business, she in public relations. Now, their dream is a reality...