Las Vegas celebrates National Pasta Day on Oct. 17
October 17 is National Pasta Day. Although most people believe that the Italians invented pasta, it can actually be traced back to Asia thousands of years ago. Regardless of where it comes from, it is a favorite food for many people all over the world. Here's a list of some local pasta deals: Buca di Beppo is celebrating World Pasta Month with a va...
I Scream, You Scream, We'll All Scream for Gelato at Scottsdale Festival
Gelato is the Italian word for ice cream, but is there a difference between the two? According to kitchen.com, gelato begins with a custard base, as does ice cream, "but has a higher proportion of milk and a lower proportion of cream and eggs (or no eggs at all). It is churned at a much slower rate, incorporating less air and leaving the gelato den...
Group behind Tomaso's to open new restaurant in Chandler
The Sicilian Butcher will soon be slicing up its popular Italian eats in the Southeast Valley. Scottsdale-based the Maggiore Group plans to open a second location of its north Phoenix concept in Chandler at the Viridian PrimeGate development. It will occupy a 4,600-square-foot space at 3151 W. Frye Road and is slated to open in December. The Sicili...
A tasteful soirée
Tickets are now on sale for the Taste of Italy Gala to be held on Friday, Oct. 5, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Lincoln City The annual benefit dinner will start at 5 pm with a no-host wine bar, appetizers, live music and a silent auction. Guests will be served an Italian dinner, including salad, a lasagna, breadsticks and tiramisu. Gluten-fr...
12 Places to Get Affogato In Seattle
Seattleites love their ice cream and their coffee, so it's only natural to combine the two. Affogato, the classic Italian dessert with espresso poured over gelato or ice cream, is the answer. Bonus: since it pairs cold scoops with steaming espresso, it's also an ideal vehicle for ice cream on these transitional days between summer and fall (not to...
The Factory Kitchen coming to The Venetian this winter
When The Factory Kitchen opens at The Venetian in December, it’ll be with a Las Vegas veteran at the helm. The executive chef will be Eduardo Perez, formerly of several local Wolfgang Puck restaurants including Mandalay Bay’s Trattoria del Lupo, where he was executive chef from 2007-2014 before decamping for Smith & Wollensky in Miami Beach. “We’re...
First look at Parma Italian Roots, opening Sept. 21 in Scottsdale
At just 27 years old, Chris Gentile has already won recognition for being the youngest executive chef in downtown San Diego. He opened Double Standard Kitchenette when he was 24 and has since earned praise for serving inventive Italian-inspired cuisine including fresh pastas, wood-fired pizzas and creative small plates. Gentile is about to turn 28...
Rita's Italian Ice opens in Fort Collins on Saturday
Fort Collins has new sweet way to cool down. Rita's Italian Ice opens to the public on Saturday in the Harmony Marketplace development at 250 E. Harmony Road. "We think it is just a phenomenal product," said local franchisee John David. "We are excited to fill a very large demand." The Pennsylvania-based franchise is known for its flavored Italian...
Marc Vetri Introduces Las Vegas to His Italian Menu
In November, James Beard Award-winning chef Marc Vetri plans to open his Vetri Cucina in the former Alizé space at the top of the Palms. Now diners who want to get to know the chef’s style of Italian cooking can find out exactly what he has on the menu when he holds a pop-up event at Scott Conant’s Masso Osteria at Red Rock Resort. The Oct. 10 dinn...
West Seattle restaurants: Alki Homestead to become Italian eatery Il Nido
Mike Easton and his wife Victoria are expanding their Italian reach to West Seattle. The couple has taken over the old Alki Homestead and is turning it into an Italian dinner destination near the shores of Elliott Bay. Il Nido, which means “the nest” in Italian, will join the Easton flock, complementing the brisk lunch service at Pioneer Square’s I...
Prestigious Italian Winery Fantinel Appoints U.S. Import Portfolio to…
August Wine Group, a Seattle-based importer of industry-leading wineries and family-owned boutique estates in Europe and South America, today announced an exclusive partnership with prominent Italian producer Fantinel to import its wines, Tenuta Sant’ Helena, Borgo Tesis and Fantinel Sparkling. Fantinel is a third-generation family winery founded i...
Searching for the Flavors of Sicily in a Modern Phoenix Bakeshop
The greatest cake in the world might be cassata. Shelled in marzipan, decked with candied fruit, and filled with cannoli cream, cassata is the old, festival spirit of the Italian South in pastry form. Candied fruit is the best part. With sweetened ricotta and marzipan's nuttiness, the potent candied fruit drops you into a world of spice routes and...