Going Next Level: Il Rosso returns fresh from the oven
It all started with food. And you could also say a dream. For years, 13 to be somewhat exact, Bob Verderame had a vision about a pizzeria in Flagstaff that was more than just pizza—all while he was laying down ink on body parts at Tat-Fu Tattoo, which he opened in 2001. In July of 2014, he got his chance. With a handshake from a local property o...
Villano's Italian in Pocatello launches pay it forward campaign to feed those in need
For the owners of Villano’s Italian restaurant in Old Town Pocatello, it’s all about paying it forward. Or as they call it — “Pizza Forward.” Last week, Aaron and Lisa Villano launched a new campaign at their restaurant at 165 N. Main St. that allows customers to buy a $2 slice of pizza for somebody who is homeless or can’t afford a hot meal. Those...
Taste of Wine: Three Italian wine/dines you need to know in Las Vegas
These happy-go-lucky eating places preserve the “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” lifestyle in this town, where luck and good times are where it’s at. Hoping some luck would come my way, I attended a big “Money” convention at Caesars Palace, which had recently built a $550 million High Roller observation wheel that goes 500 feet in the air...
Old Colorado City restaurant expands by opening new second-floor lounge
The much-anticipated Sopra opened Wednesday on the second floor of Paravicini's Italian Bistro in Old Colorado City. "This is a place where I can play with food and have fun creating dishes that are a little different from what we serve in Paravicini's," said Franco Pisani, owner of both eateries. "It's a spot where customers can have a cocktail an...
Nicoletta & Beppe’s Stuffs Its First Pasta in the Pearl District
Taking over the space formerly home to Bellino Trattoria Siciliana in the Pearl District, Nicoletta & Beppe’s is getting ready to roll out its first manicotti with a preview party on July 6, followed by dinners with limited menus each night this weekend. On July 11, the restaurant will officially throw open the doors to serve lunch and dinner Tuesd...
Culinary royalty Tomaso Maggiore opens new restaurant in north Scottsdale
Celebrated chef and restaurateur Tomaso Maggiore launched his first restaurant in the Valley in 1977. Four decades later, he opened his latest venture, Tomaso’s When in Rome. The new 5,000-square-foot restaurant is on the northeast corner of Scottsdale and Pinnacle Peak roads in north Scottsdale. It's the first spinoff of Tomaso’s Italian Restauran...
Cassano's Grocery is looking to change locations
Cassano’s Grocery is looking to move to a smaller location to keep its authentic feel and to move closer to what the restaurant originally was. The local grocery store has been a staple in Spokane for many years since its opening in the 1920s. It was a hub of Italian food and atmosphere for everyone in the area. Cassano’s Grocery is located at 2002...
A guy who slices salami for a living
To drill down to the secret of Tony Caputo’s success as a food purveyor extraordinaire, go back more than 30 years to a time when he was working for his old high school friend Sam Granato at Granato’s importing business. Tony was in his early 30s, raising two young sons, Matt and Peter, with his wife, Mary, while slicing salami and working the deli...
Borracchini's signature frosting takes the cake
The place that's a Seattle birthday tradition is having a big one of their own this year. "This is our 95th year in business. I have worked in this building since I was five years old. Because in the Italian family, everybody pitches in and works,” said Remo Borracchini, owner of the bakery that bears his family name. According to Borracchini - wh...
Buddy V's Ristorante gives the feeling of being back in mom's Italian kitchen
This week I went to the Strip and visited one of my favorite celebrity restaurants, Buddy V’s Ristorante located inside the Venetian Las Vegas. Buddy Valastro of TLC’s TV show “Cake Boss” has brought his Italian flair for food from New Jersey to Las Vegas. I have been a big fan of the restaurant since it opened but now that I have discovered the We...
Arizona restaurateur Tomaso Maggiore opening new concept in Scottsdale
Arizona restaurateur Tomaso Maggiore is unveiling a new concept in North Scottsdale. The new restaurant, called Tomaso's When in Rome, will open Wednesday, June 14, in a 5,000-square-foot space at 23655 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 120 at The Pinnacle of Scottsdale center. The concept, which representatives are calling the "first derivative of the ori...
Celebrate Negroni Week at the Innovative RX Boiler Room
Negroni Week is back. If you’re like us, you’ve been enjoying the refreshingly balanced Italian cocktail all year, but between June 5 and 11, you can savor it for a cause. Negroni Week launched in 2013 as an effort to raise money for charities around the world and has grown from about 100 participating venues to 6,000 bars, restaurants and other sp...