Mario Cantone shares his irreverent humor at Ridgefield Playhouse
By Linda Tuccio-Koonz It's impossible not to laugh when Mario Cantone starts doing impressions. He's perfected everyone from Liza Minnelli to Bette Davis — not to mention all the animated characters from television's "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." He also has a unique take on just what "Rudolph" is all about. Misfit toys? Indee...
A Slice Of Italy In Enfield
This year, the Mount Carmel Italian Festival will be entering its 91st year. Despite the festival being 91 years old, it still has plenty of new festivities to offer people, including the largest collection of Dean Martin memorabilia – which is a special addition to the festival this year. "[The goal of the festival] is to carry on a cult...
Mike’s Pastry coming to Harvard Square
by Thomas Grillo Mike's Pastry, the landmark Italian bakery in Boston's North End best known for its ricotta-stuffed cannolis, is planning to open a second cafe in Harvard Square this spring. The Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal unanimously approved a request to grant the pastry shop a fast food permit at a meeting last Thursday. Also in...
IAC Announces Scholarship Winners For 2014
The Italian American Celebration Honoring Christopher Columbus Committee (I.A.C.) has announced the recipients of their scholarships for 2014. The recipients were selected by a Scholarship Committee headed by Professor Dario Del Puppo of Trinity College, Hartford. Five recipients each received a $1,000 award and two recipients received a $...
Italian Designer Valentina Oppezzo thrills audience at ‘Elements of Design’ Fashion Show
Presented by VStyle Productions, the Foundation for a Green Future, Inc., and the Boston GreenFest, the eco-fashion was held on June 21 at the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston and featured collections inspired by a different element: air, water, fire and earth. The featured designers were Restored by Design by Martha Jackson as Air, Instilla by Val...
Monroe Italian fest a family tradition for many
by Phyllis A.S. Boros Every August, for the past 23 years, thousands of area folk flock to St. Jude Church in Monroe for its "authentic" Italian festival. "It's the real deal," said Peter Lucia, who has volunteered at each of the church's 24 festivals. "We expect more than 10,000" at the event, which runs from Wednesday, Aug. 20, through...
Gaetano's brings a taste of Arthur Avenue to Westport
With the recent opening of Gaetano's Deli at 1713 Post Road East, loyal Westport customers will no longer have to trek to the store's Stratford and Monroe locations. "We have a lot of customers who travel from here," said Milanno Ukehaxhaj, co-owner of the Italian deli, known for featuring traditional fare. Read more Sour...
New Eataly food emporium nears deal to open in Boston
By Taryn Luna The North End might not be Boston's only Italian food hub for long. Celebrity chef Mario Batali and his partners are close to signing a deal to open an Eataly, a galleria of Italian gastronomy, at the Prudential Center next year. If the deal goes through, diners would be able to pick up freshly made pasta at a vas...
Tri-Town CEO Joseph DeSantis receives award from Verrazzano Day Observance Committee
The Verrazzano Day Observance Committee, comprised of members from the Order Sons of Italy in America (Grand Lodge of Rhode Island) and Italian American War Veterans of the United States (Rhode Island division), recently honored Joseph DeSantis, CEO of Tri-Town Community Action Agency and South County Community Action Agency, as its 2015 Man of the...
Italian American group to honor Christopher Colombus in October
The Italian American Celebration and Parade Committee is honoring Christopher Columbus with a multiple days of celebration in October, including the annual parade. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Columbus Day celebrations in Hartford. In addition to the parade, there is a four-day family festival, an banquet, a wreath dedicati...
Ricotta: The Italian Easter tradition that’s not a cheese
By Lisa Zwirn Eggs might be the most visible — and colorful — symbol of Easter, but for Italian cooks, ricotta is a close second. Italian holiday traditions bring both sweet and savory ricotta pies, cakes, and cannoli. Leticia Farrice, manager of Lola's Italian Groceria in the center of town here, grew up in New York and remembers her gra...
An Italian restaurant called Fat Hen has opened its doors in Somerville
By Kevin Slane A new Italian restaurant offering an eclectic menu of meats and pastas is now open for business in Somerville. Fat Hen, which began serving customers Thursday, is located inside the former market/cafe space of neighboring restaurant La Brasa at 126 Broadway. According to Boston magazine, Fat Hen chef Michael Berg...