Gino’s Italian restaurant stays consistently tasty
by James Patrick Kelly Gino Vuolo didn't have to look into a crystal ball six years ago when he moved his popular Italian restaurant from Downtown Boise. He knew Meridian was becoming Idaho's fastest growing city and wanted to situate his eatery, Gino's Italian Ristorante, smack dab in the center of the suburban sprawl. ...
Born in New York, but perfect for Vegas, Carbone is on the way
by Andy Wang New York's Carbone is a spectacular, surreal restaurant, a place you could imagine being in Tom Wolfe's next novel. It's the type of establishment that could be derided as an example of extravagance gone mad, but it's so damn good and fun that you just have to give in to the experience. If you can afford it, that is.&...
An Italian Showdown
There was a line in last weekend's "Bend Follies" at the Tower Theatre that went something like this: "Bad Italian in Bend? You don't need a fortune teller to predict that!" I won't come right out and tell you the Italian food in Central Oregon is invariably bad. But I will say, with the notable exception of the intimate Trattoria Sbandati...
Old Spaghetti Factory prepares to move locations
by Derek Shuck After serving the Tacoma area from its Jefferson Street location for more than four decades, the Old Spaghetti Factory will be moving to a new location on Friday, Jan. 22, right down the road to 1250 Pacific Ave. "It's a newer building, newer infrastructure. We're closer in proximity to some downtown employers. Were going t...
Grotto: Dinner done the Italian way
Las Vegas is a melting pot of cuisines, offering an opportunity to try unfamiliar and unexpected new flavors. And while culinary exploration can be intriguing, sometimes you just want a meal, which reminds you of home. So look no further than Grotto at Golden Nugget, where, even if you're not Italian, you can imagine your Sicilian nonna churning ou...
Buon Gusto serves Italian comfort food in cozy setting
By Heidi Knapp Rinella With so many Italian restaurants in Las Vegas — as is the case with most American metropolitan areas, Italian being one of the most popular restaurant genres nationally — when I review one, I look for something that makes it stand out from the crowd. When that was Buon Gusto in 2011, I wrote that I thought the main...
The Spirited Teacher: Francesco Lafranconi
Yes, his proper title is a mouthful. But "Executive Director of Mixology & Spirits Education" doesn't communicate the impact Lafranconi has had on the local beverage scene since he left Venice, Italy, in early 2000. He did so at the invitation of Southern Wine & Spirits boss Larry Ruvo, who wanted Lafranconi to develop an education...
GIADA at The Cromwell Launches Locals Appreciation Offer
Emmy Award-winning celebrity chef and New York Times best-selling author Giada De Laurentiis' first-ever restaurant, GIADA, has received rave reviews since first opening in June, and now the popular restaurant is proud to offer a special locals appreciation offer of 20% off breakfast and lunch*, valid Monday – Friday through the end of March. With...
A true taste of Italy at Marc’s Trattoria
As a regular reader of my column, you know it's no secret I love Italian food. This week I tried a new Italian restaurant. This little gem was tucked away in the back of a plaza and, to be honest, keeping it hidden would serve my best interest. Once people try Chef Marc's Trattoria (8615 W. Sahara Ave.) this place will become very popular. As soon...
Mancuso’s to open in downtown Phoenix
Mancuso's Restaurants and RED Development announced Tuesday one of the Valley's favorite Italian-American restaurants, Mancuso's, will open a new location at Collier Center this August. Mancuso's will continue its 40 plus year tradition of fine Italian-American cuisine in a new, approximately 8,700 square-foot space on the upper level of t...
Reader Survey 2013: Best Italian Restaurant in Portland
For the fourth year in a row, Nostrana is your favorite Italian restaurant in Portland. There has been a bit of a shakeup in the rest of the placement. Ava Genes which opened since the last survey, has already picked up a significant number of votes. Mucca Osteria makes its first appearance on the list, at number three. Notable by their ab...
A Paradise Valley, nel Nevada, la storia degli antenati venuti dall'Italia si tramanda di padre in figlio
"Andate in Nevada? Ah, vi divertirete a Las Vegas!" ci dicono mentre ci prepariamo a lasciare Denver per la nostra personale "mille miglia" verso ovest, attraverso Wyoming e Utah. Andiamo in Nevada, ma staremo alla larga dalle luci della città: la nostra meta è poco più di una strada popolata di poche case e un centinaio di abitanti. Arriviamo a P...