Council approves wine store for South End
By Aleese KopfSouth End residents soon will be able to grab a bottle of wine in their own backyard.The Town Council granted a special exception Wednesday to allow a new Italian wine store to open on the first floor of the BankUnited Building at 2875 S. Ocean Blvd. The new Cento Vini store totals 611 square feet and will feature exclusive Italian wi...
The Chef Makes the Case: Why You Should Eat at Miami's New Lorenzo
by Jordana Rothman You've probably heard of Tony Mantuano: The James Beard Award-winning Chicago chef behind the legendary Spiaggia, Bar Toma, and Terzo Piano. Mantuano recently expanded to South Beach, putting down roots inside the new Redbury Hotel on Collins Avenue. Here, he tells us about his first Miami venture, the Italian L...
Italian eatery, Macchialina, still set for Asheville
What’s going into the first floor of the former Windsor Hotel has long been a source of speculation. Nearly a year ago, we reported that Macchialina, a Miami-based Italian restaurant, would set up shop on the corner of Broadway and Walnut streets. Then, rumors circulated that the restaurant wasn’t coming. Now the restaurant partners, Micha...
Portillo’s Is Bringing Chicago Hot Dogs to Florida Next Year
By Samantha Neudorf Portillo's is heading to Florida in March 2016. The Tampa Bay Times reports that the restaurant known for Chicago hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches will be opening in Brandon, Florida, on the corner of State Road 60 and Lakewood Drive. Chicago hot dogs consist of a Vienna or red hot Chicago dog on a poppy seed bun w...
This pasta was voted best pasta in Atlanta
As the temperature starts to drop, many Atlantans will begin loading up on their favorite pastas. This week's Best of Atlanta poll found out where you spin your fork for the perfect saucy bite. Coming in first place is Osteria Mattone with an overwhelming vote. Experience Rome in Roswell the next time you're in the area for a soul-soothing...
Noble Crust serves Italian favorites with a southern flair
Traditional Italian cooking meets the south at Noble Crust, a new restaurant in St. Petersburg. "We really wanted to do something Italian, but we wanted to have a different edge on it. Make it a fun, really hip place to hang out," said TJ Thielbar. He and John Mays are the men behind the restaurant. The two also were members of Bonefish Grill's fo...
Siro Urban Italian Kitchen in Orlando
I first visited Siro Urban Italian Kitchen last spring. The kitchen at the Orlando Marriott World Center hit everything out of the park, but service lacked finesse and timing. Chef Alexia Gawlak — an alum of Luma on Park, Primo and The Ravenous Pig — has taken over the kitchen so a second bite was in order. Siro's rustic decor is stil...
Restaurant Review: Marcello Ristorante Italiano
by Marsha Fottler Can an excellent restaurant live in a tiny strip mall? In Sarasota, it happens all the time. Case in point: Marcello Ristorante Italiano on South Tamiami Trail, which has been building buzz since it opened two-and-a-half years ago. Park outside the unprepossessing building and step into a room that is combined di...
How to get a free pizza at Brickell's newest Italian eatery this week
By Amanda Mesa To help build the buzz leading up to its grand opening, Brickell's upcoming eatery, Tino's, is inviting guests to come get a first-taste. Helmed by Chef Constantine de Lucia, the soon-to-open Italian spot will offer guests chef-selected wine starting at $6 a glass from Thursday, July 21 through Sunday, July 24. With every glass purc...
Gelato: The Italian way
Stefano Versace is a true Italian - it's something he says you can figure out quickly from his accent. His passion for food stems from his roots in Italy, where he and his family owned a restaurant. "We come from a family that loves food and cooking," said Versace, franchise owner of Stefano Versace Gelateria and Italian Gourmet. ...
Stalla serves simple and elegant Italian cuisine
by Julian Brunt Enter Stalla, the Italian restaurant in Biloxi's Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, and you're sure to be caught by the illusion that you are dining in a restaurant in Tuscany. The restaurant is beautiful, with re-claimed timbers from a New England farmhouse, the lighting is low, and the mood is that of al fresco dinin...
Spoleto lands in America
Spoleto - My Italian Kitchen is now open in East Orlando. It's the first U.S. location for Spoleto, which has more than 380 locations in Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica. Two additional Orlando locations are scheduled to open later this year, one at the Florida Mall and another in Winter Park, said John Velasquez, president of Spoleto USA. "T...