Restaurateur Dominic Florio has come out of retirement to open an Italian restaurant in Crystal Lake, in suburban Chicago. Slated to open in July, at 1540 Carlemont Drive, Florio’s Italian features fresh ingredients and traditional southern Italian recipes. Florio sold his original Florio’s restaurant in Chicago in the 1990s, then went into the car-dealership business until he retired, Shaw Local reported. “I decided, one more time,” the 73-year-old said. “I can only play so much golf, and I love the business.” Chef Renato Marmolino, a native of Italy, helped craft Florio’s Italian menu. For more, click here.  

In the foreword of his debut cookbook, Chef Joey Maggiore is described as “vibrant, entertaining and as wild as they get.” That’s certainly reflected in the 70 recipes featured in his “Brunch King: Eats, Beats, and Boozy Drinks,” which will be out in September. Maggiore is the driving force behind The Maggiore Group and Hash Kitchen, located in Arizona, Utah and Texas. His cookbook includes recipes such as Ten-Layer Breakfast Lasagna, Crème Brulée French Toast Sticks, Blue Corn Bananas Foster Pancakes, Carnitas Hash and Gnocchi Carbonara Hash, as well as a variety of inventive cocktails. For more, click here.   …

The Justinian Society of Lawyers held its 22nd annual Children’s Endowment Fund grant reception on March 14 at Luxbar in Chicago. Justinian President Michael Pisano and Endowment Fund Chairman Frank Sommario presented a total of $10,000 in CEF grants at the event to Almost Home Kids and La Casa Norte. Additional donations were made from the floor by Justinian members and other guests in attendance. On hand to accept the grants were Jose Muñoz of La Casa Norte and Raeann Olsen-Jackson of Almost Home Kids. “The Justinian Society is fervent in continuing to give back to our community and we …

The Italian students at Ridgewood High School in Norridge were proud to play host to a delegation from Italy on May 23. Among the honored guests were Attilio Fontana, president of the region of Lombardy; Raffaele Cattaneo, the region’s undersecretary for European and International Public Relations; Paolo Aliprandi, a member of Cattaneo’s staff; Maria Luisa Scalise, the region’s director of International Relations; and Paola Murgia, a member of Scalise’s staff. Italian Consul General Thomas Botzios arranged the visit with the help of Dr. Marina Lenza, director of education for the consulate. Fontana requested the opportunity to meet with Ridgewood’s Italian …

The Chicago Association of REALTORS® inducted Marion Valle into its Hall of Fame in 2023. “When it comes to real estate not only in Illinois, but also throughout the country, there’s one person who has had a significant hand in how we do business,” Chicago REALTOR® Magazine noted. “Valle’s impact on the real estate industry is seen with the historic appointments and positions he has held.” In 1974, he became the first full-time real estate commissioner for the state of Illinois, helping to establish the industry regulations that exist today. In 1980, he was hired by the National Association of …

The Old Neighborhood Italian American Club staged its 30th annual Anti-Drug and Alcohol/Responsible Behavior Seminar on May 10. Local grade-school students from the Bridgeport, Chinatown and Canaryville neighborhoods take part in the event each year. This year’s seminar was attended by 8th-grade students from St. Jerome Catholic School, Bridgeport Catholic Academy and St. Gabriel Catholic School. Led by Co-Chair Michael Rubio, a panel that included local alderpersons addressed social media and online safety awareness along with the benefits of community involvement and the development of leadership skills. “Chicago P.D.” actor LaRoyce Hawkins and producer Brian Luce talked about the dangers …

Looking to drive down health care costs and expand access for families, State Rep. Anthony DeLuca is backing a reform plan that imposes limits and restrictions on the insurance industry. Known as the Health Care Protection Act, House Bill 5395 would require insurance companies to justify premium increases; prohibit them from selling short-term health care plans known as “junk insurance” that provide little or no coverage; and eliminate prior authorization hurdles for mental health care. It would also halt the practice known as “step therapy,” which requires patients to try a medication or treatment other than what was prescribed and …

Caputo Cheese took home first place in the Fresh Mozzarella category at the 2024 World Championship Cheese Contest. The Melrose Park-based cheesemaker’s “nodini” was crowned the winner at the contest, which took place in Madison, Wisconsin, WBBM Newsradio reported. “Nodini” means “little knot” in Italian. Renzo Berardi, sales manager at Caputo’s, credited the way the cheese is created with the win. “I think it stems (from) the flavor profile and the uniqueness of this item — the hand-tied, the crafting of this cheese. We bring the tradition of handmade products.” Berardi said the nodini has a “chewy bite just in …

“Get them in, get them out, and get the dough crisp” is how Chris Marston described to the Daily Herald the pizza-making process at his new restaurant, Legends Pizza in Carol Stream. Marston is a former service representative for Chicago Brick Oven, and at one point had up to six different models of pizza ovens in his backyard. He and his wife, Michelle, achieved their dream of opening a restaurant this spring. Legends Pizza, at 158 N. Gary Ave., has a full bar and a carousel oven that cooks 12-, 14- and 16-inch thin-crust pizzas at 550 degrees. The menu …

In the works for four years, a new coffee flavor is now on the menu at Miko’s Italian Ice. Miko’s has two locations in Chicago, at 2236 N. Sacramento Ave. and 4125 N. Kimball Ave. Owner Zach Roombos told Block Club Chicago that the new flavor came from listening to customer feedback. “It’s very exciting, and lots of people have been asking for it for a long time,” Roombos said. With a rotating list of 30 flavors, the family-run business celebrates its 27th anniversary this year. A location in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood closed in 2019. For more, click here.