After nearly closing, this Italian restaurant needs to remind customers that it’s still there
Sweetheart Corner, at the intersection of Route 11 and Taft Road in North Syracuse, is arguably one of the most iconic intersections in the greater Syracuse area. Yet one of the restaurants at that corner seems to be easily forgotten. It doesn’t help that for two years rumors circulated of the restaurant closing to be replaced by a Chick-Fil-A, or...
The lonely Italian cheesemaker on East 29th Street immortalized in a 1949 painting
I don’t know if it was ever officially considered a Little Italy. But in the 1930s and 1940s, East 29th Street between Second and Third Avenues was an Italian food store stronghold. V. DiPollito’s meat market; Peter Rossi’s salami, olive oil, and baccala; a fruits and vegetables grocery; and a delicatessen/bakery are just some of the ground floor t...
Italian American Long Island centenarian celebrated by town officials
Josie Romano was feted on her 100th birthday at the Rose Caracappa Senior Center in Mount Sinai last Wednesday, Brookhaven Town officials said. When they asked what her secret was to such a long life, she said, “I love to eat, and once in a while a little drink, when I feel good. That’s about it and I love to dance.” Romano, who was born in Harl...
How the Lusardi Family Built an Italian Restaurant Empire in NYC
Mauro Lusardi jokes about writing a book titled “Fifty Years Behind Bars” - a witty nod to his decades in the restaurant business alongside his brother Luigi. The two co-founders of the Lusardi restaurant empire have spent nearly half a century crafting a culinary legacy that spans generations. It all started with a leap of faith from Parma, Italy...
Staten Island son, a financial advisor by day and a philanthropist by night, is honored at upcoming black tie gala
Preserving his Italian-American heritage has always been high on Francis (Frank) Joseph DeBlasi’s list of priorities. And it’s understandable. His dad, the late Dr. Joseph DeBlasi, was a doctor of internal medicine engaged in private practice in New Dorp. And together with DeBlasi’s mom, Rita DeBlasi, a coronary intensive care nurse, and brother, M...
New Italian restaurant opens in Duanesburg
Tarassa’s Italian-American Cuisine is now open in Duanesburg. The eatery opened for business on Monday, January 13. The restaurant is owned by Wendy Cookingham and Doug DeMarco. DeMarco also owns DeMarco’s Pizza in Scotia. Cookingham said Tarassa’s Italian-American Cuisine is named after one of her best friends who passed away from cancer. Tarassa’...
Sabatino Truffles Opens Its First U.S. Store
More often than not those trekking through Grand Central are doing so at a clip, racing to catch a train or eagerly waiting for one. Nevertheless, there are numerous places within the iconic walls of the terminal that make it a destination all its own. Beyond the celestial ceiling, the iconic clock, the mysterious catwalk, or the century’s old smok...
The Patronato ACLI USA presents ‘The Seductresses’
‘The Seductresses’ is a series of meetings in New York City that will analyze the female condition throughout history from an unusual point of view: seduction. The project will kick off on Thursday 23 January at 6.30 pm - 32 Prince Street New York, NY 10012 - it will discuss women who have played a significant role in history by using, overtly or c...
The gourmet warehouse in the United States promoting high-quality Italian food
There’s an unusual atmosphere in New York over the past two months. Between the arrest of Luigi Mangione, yet another school shooting in Wisconsin, and the looming Trump tariffs, the holiday spirit feels somewhat subdued this year. Helping to lift spirits was The Los Angeles Times, which highlighted Gustiamo in its “Tasting Notes” column, describin...
Celebrating Italian Excellence: The Second Edition of the Italian Reputation Award in New York
The award ceremony for the second edition of the Italian Reputation Award will take place on January 18, 2025, at 5:00 PM at the Italian Cultural Institute in New York. This prestigious honor is granted to individuals who have demonstrated consistent and innovative contributions across various sectors, promoting Italy globally and strengthening its...
100-year-old Holocaust survivor honored for living legend status on Long Island
A 100-year-old Holocaust survivor on Long Island was honored Monday for her birthday ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Sen. Charles Schumer bestowed Pina Frassineti Wax with a U.S. Capitol flag flown in her honor and announced that she will also receive special U.S. Senate Floor recognition commemorating her living legend status on...
MLB: Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola: Finding Success Beyond the Diamond
The Yankees star, Yogi Berra, and one of his best pals, Joe Garagiola, had a special off-season gig, especially during the holiday season when baseball wasn't keeping them busy in the MLB. Berra and Garagiola grew up in a working-class Italian-American neighborhood in St. Louis, where they honed their sports skills on a vacant lot on Elizabeth Aven...