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...
Sicilian Fest kicks off on the Northshore this weekend
The weekend looks a little warmer and drier, a great weekend to go to a festival, and it just so happens, the Sicilian Heritage Festival is going on in Independence, Louisiana this weekend. Joining the Eyewitness Morning News in Frank's Kitchen, is Grand Marshal, Chef Tommy Masaracchia of Tope La' Restaurant in Hammond, who is here with this year'...
Pitches for Piazza d'Italia to move forward Sept. 11
By Katherine Sayre A committee of New Orleans city leaders steering a redevelopment of the Piazza d'Italia is slated to pick which developers move forward in the selection process on Sept. 11, Mayor Mitch Landrieu's administration said Thursday (Sept. 3). Five developers from across the country -- including Florida, Tennessee, Geo...
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...
Heritage Texas Properties partners with Houston Design Center for event
Heritage Texas Properties was the exclusive Luxury Real Estate Presenting Sponsor for the center's sixth annual Deck The Tables Holiday Tabletop Tour. Held at the Houston Design Center, 7026 Old Katy Road, from Tuesday, Dec. 3, through Friday, Dec. 6, the event was open to the public and benefited the Houston Food Bank. An invitation-only...
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...
OK Mozart focuses on music of Italy for 2015 festival in Bartlesville
OK Mozart will take audiences on a musical tour of Italy for the festival's 31st annual season, taking place June 6-13 in and around the Bartlesville Community Center. The season will feature the return of some OK Mozart favorite performers, including pianist Jon Kimura Parker and the Canadian Brass, along with rising classical music stars violini...
Looking for David Harrington?
Come to the Pick Room of the Main Santa Fe Public Library on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm. There you'll find David performing a public service in Italian – teaching a free class for kids and beginner adults who want to learn to speak Italian. Now in its third year, the class is a labor of love for the language that began when David was an aspiring opera s...