After being owned by three generations of an Italian family, Paterno’s Pizza at 5303 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago is under new ownership. “We are truly honored to continue running this locally loved pizza and sports bar,” the Patel family wrote on Facebook in January. “Our promise is simple: to respect everything that made Paterno’s special while slowly bringing in thoughtful improvements and a refreshed look over the coming months — without losing the heart and soul of this place.” The Paterno family emigrated from Italy in the 1930s and opened Paterno’s, which started as a liquor store, in 1954. …

The Mount Carmel Parish and Shrine in Melrose Park will host a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Christ’s Passion in St. John, Indiana, on March 21. Pilgrims will traverse a 1-1/2-mile multimedia prayer trail, landscaped to look like the Holy Land, that features life-size bronze statues of Christ and many biblical figures. The first part of the tour begins with the Last Supper, proceeds to the Garden of Gethsemane, travels the path to Calvary and concludes with the Ascension. Other stops on the tour take in Moses receiving the 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai, a chapel and grotto dedicated to …

Joe Donnelly, a former U.S. senator from Indiana and past U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, was the guest of honor at the annual Columbus Day/Italian Heritage Celebration held in Mishawaka, Indiana, in October. Joking that he was “Joe Donnelli” for the day, Donnelly spoke about the importance of Christopher Columbus and the numerous contributions of Italian Americans both nationally and locally. He also talked about the wonderful time he had in Rome as ambassador and of his meetings with Pope Francis. While he was ambassador, he was able to tour many parts of Italy and welcome countless visitors from …

The Grand Chamber by O’Hare presented Gabe Caporale Sr. with the Walter G. Bassi and Randall J. Braglia Chamber Pillar Award at its annual installation dinner at Casa Italia in Stone Park on Nov. 15. “This award means a lot to me,” Caporale told Neighbors Magazine. “I put my heart and soul into everything I do.” Caporale is the founder and managing broker of Caporale Realty Group in Elmwood Park. He began his real estate career at the age of 21, opening the doors to his own firm in 1983. The secret to his longevity? “I take pride in simplifying …

The fourth location of Pronto Italian Sandwiches opened in the fall at 221 S. Washington St. in downtown Naperville, following eateries in Hinsdale and Des Plaines, and at O’Hare International Airport. The chain is owned by Peter and Dana Burdi, who first ventured into the culinary scene in 2009 with the Hinsdale restaurants Il Poggiolo, which closed last year, and Nabuki. Pronto Italian Sandwiches is all about its Tuscan schiacciata bread, Peter Burdi told the Naperville Sun. “It’s made with all products from Italy. All the flour is flown in from Italy, and the olive oil and things like that,” …

The second location of the restaurant Piacere Mio opened in November at 1303 W. Wilson Ave. in Chicago. The first location opened two years ago in Forest Park under the direction of owners Francisco Perez and chef Jose Marquez, who teamed up with Antonio de la Rosa to open the Chicago location. The menu includes a variety of pasta dishes from across Italy, such as pappardelle Bolognese, trofie al pesto Genovese, gnocchi verdi al tartufo, fusilli alla buttera, spaghetti cacio e pepe, orecchiette Pugliese, rigatoni rustica (with braised wagyu-beef short ribs), tagliatelle con aragosta, linguine alle vongole and fettuccine nero …

Sorelle Italian Market & Cafe, a new Italian cafe and market, opened in November within The Glen Town Center in Glenview. The location at 1941 Tower Drive is the second for the business, which also operates a cafe and market in Long Grove. Owner Mario Weber, a Glenview native, told the publication Journal & Topics that he always wanted to open a business in his hometown. “My parents used to bring me to the (Naval Air Station Glenview) air shows, and now we’re right on the corner by the tower,” said Weber. “It’s kind of a homecoming.” “Sorelle was created …

The recently published English translation of an Italian book gives fascinating insight into how Italian prisoners cook in their cells with the few resources that are available to them. “Cooking in Maximum Security” was published by Half Letter Press in November. The Italian original was compiled by Matteo Guidi, who worked with people detained in high-surveillance sections of Italian prisons through an exchange of letters between 2009 and 2013. “Making kitchen tools before one can even begin to gather ingredients is a priority in this cookbook,” Half Letter Press explains. “In addition to identifying the necessary utensils, this book also …

The Italian American Executives of Transportation hosted their third annual Augustus Caesar Awards on for Feb. 28 at Ashton Place in Willowbrook. The event will honor 12 young professionals who are excelling in their fields and exhibit potential for future success. The honorees were Frank Battaglia (dining), Anthony Greco (law enforcement), Bianca Ferreri Maldonado (clinical mental health therapist), Brady Niemiec (firefighter and paramedic), Anthony Pasquini (attorney), Jason Quaglia (commercial risk management insurance), Ramon Ruiz (electrical supply and distribution), Nick Schullo (sales and consulting), Matteo Serritella (private detective), Katelyn Smith (elementary education), Mario Tenuta (financial advisor) and Chris Trzeciak (financial services …

Lucca Osteria & Bar in suburban Oak Brook is the vision of Italian chef and veteran restaurateur Claudio Ulivieri, who co-founded the eatery with Steve Hartenstein on May 1, 2021. Located at 1415 W. 22nd St., across from Oakbrook Center mall, Lucca features a broad menu of authentic Italian dishes including pizza, antipasti, soups, salads, pasta, seafood, meat dishes and sides. Ulivieri was born in Lucca, Italy, and raised on a farm in the town of Altopascio, a small village outside the city. “He learned winemaking from his father and helped him harvest the crop every year,” Lucca’s website recounts. …