Back in 2021, we shared news that the former Larchmere Tavern, which had closed after nearly 30 years, was being converted into a high-end cocktail lounge and restaurant. Those plans never came to fruition. But that proved to be fortuitous for Peter Reuter, who was in search of a permanent home for Scorpacciata.In 2018, after graduating from Johnso...
READ MOREIn the 50 years from 1870 to 1920, it’s estimated that more than 20,000 Italian immigrants ended up in Cleveland. The city was on its way up, filled with mills and factories looking for cheap labor, and Italian immigrants were more than willing to pitch in, settling in enclaves within the city. Today, a century later, vestiges of their work and cul...
READ MOREEstablished in the late 19th century, Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood—one of five major Italian settlements in the city—still retains its cultural charm. Located just east of downtown and a few minutes from vibrant arts and cultural must-sees like the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland’s Little Italy draws with its walkability, eclectic art g...
READ MORED’Italia Foods deli opened last week at 6310 Engle Road, Brook Park in building formerly occupied by Pasta Lears Pizzeria and Deli. This marks the second D’Italia restaurant in Northeast Ohio. The first is in Westlake. Both are owned by The Cleveland Restaurant Group, which operates several other restaurants in the region. The new deli will offer s...
READ MOREThis summer, downtown Cleveland lost a 40-year-old legend when Vincenza's Pizza & Pasta abruptly closed its shop. But come spring, another local legend will take up the mantle to provide hot slices for all.Geraci’s Slice Shop (603 Prospect Ave.), an extension of the 60-year-old brand, launched this summer in Willoughby as part of The Yard on 3rd. T...
READ MOREThere's been a lot of construction on East 185th Street, and while major investments are being made to position it as Cleveland's next popular neighborhood, a restaurant at the heart of it all stands as a testament to the street's past, and anchor for its future. Scotti’s Italian Eatery is where food, reasonable prices and warmth have kept customer...
READ MOREIn 1994, Charlie Manno was assigned to entertain two Italian priests on a trip to Chicago. When the Rocky River man took the priests to the airport after their visit, they wanted to reward his kindness. So, Father Franco Todisco pulled out a notepad and wrote down an old family recipe for infusing lemon and coffee liqueurs. Manno thought nothing of...
READ MOREItalian American Chris Antonetti, Guardians President of Baseball Operations, was named Major League Baseball Executive of the Year. He was recognized at the General Manager meetings in November. “There were so many teams, so many organizations, so many executives that were incredibly deserving,” said Antonetti. Fellow Italian American Jerry Dipoto...
READ MORESometimes, a guy can’t seem to catch a break. In July of 2019, Scott Nathanson was ready to call it quits. His 20-year-old Italian restaurant Scotti’s was hemorrhaging money thanks to year-long road work that closed the I-90 exit at East 185th Street. After going public with his announcement on Facebook, the restaurant was inundated with enough sup...
READ MOREWhen cooking school founder Loretta Paganini’s three daughters grew up, married and started families, they negotiated holiday sharing. Thanksgiving would be with their husband’s families and Christmas with their parents. That left the uber-social chef and native Italian facing a lonely November holiday. So, she and her husband Emil took Thanksgivin...
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