Close

In August 1948, the city of Syracuse celebrated its centennial. The celebration was going to be the largest civic event in the city's history. Syracuse streets and buildings were decorated, a four-hour parade was planned along with a mammoth Centorama held at Archbold Stadium, with a cast of 3,000 people, which would illustrate Syracuse history. An...

1071

Fred and Rita Grimaldi opened a small restaurant on Bleecker Street in Utica in 1943. They were young newlyweds, married with one child. They lived over the restaurant, which served lunches and dinner, and gave away pieces of garlic pizza. During the next seven decades, three generations of Grimaldis opened and ran restaurants across Upstate New Yo...

926

Like a character in a Broadway musical, Michael Amante breaks into song at seemingly random moments yet always comes out on top. He's sung while interviewing with a top accounting firm, haggling with a street vendor in Rome, even getting a cup of coffee at a cafe, and each time his powerful tenor voice has opened doors. Today an acclaimed vocalist...

1018

To the Editor: This is in response to the Syracuse Board of Education's tabled resolution to replace traditional Columbus Day with "Indigenous Peoples Day," as I need to express my deep-hearted feelings with regard to this ridiculous proposal. As a member of the Syracuse City School District for over 36 years, I have always seen a great respect fro...

1024

During the St. Patrick's Day season, Central New Yorkers love to party like the Irish, whether they're truly Irish or not. But what do local Italians think of all the blarney and craic? Italian-Americans also make up a large part of Syracuse's population, and both the Italians and the Irish host major festivals each year. But only the Irish host a...

1562

A divided crowd got into a heated debate at a recent Syracuse school board meeting over whether the district should change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Some said changing the name takes away a part of the history of Italian-Americans. Last year, after requests from some students, the Syracuse City School District changed Columbus Day to...

916

The Syracuse City School Board wants to hear from the public about a controversial proposal to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day on the district's calendar. Last fall the board shelved a resolution to change the holiday after getting some complaints from people opposed to the idea. The board is inviting the public to comment on the p...

1018

Good To Go Cafe is gearing up for spring with, among other things, a hot dog cart. The cafe, tucked away behind Varsity Pizza, is consistently updating its menu and building a rapport with the Syracuse University community. Right near both SU and SUNY Upstate Medical University, Good To Go has helped owner Louise O’Hara accomplish a lifelong goal s...

908

Vito's Ristorante is not Rico's Ristorante. The Utica greens pizza ($14.95) was our first proof. The pan pizza, sliced in strips, was browned nicely to support the heft of the escarole, cherry pepper and breadcrumb mixture. The greens were distributed evenly over the dough, preventing any collapsing or cold spots. A scant amount of mozzarella chees...

1460

A new Italian restaurant with a "bring your own wine policy" is now open at Destiny USA. Bambino's Bistro is located on the third level of Destiny USA, next to Margaritaville. Family-owned and operated, Bambino's provides Italian cuisine for guests in a family-friendly environment. The restaurant offers pizzas and hearty pasta, as well as a variety...

1590