The Arcolian Dental Arts Society presented Ron Onesti with the 2025 Arcolian of the Year Award at its Christmas party on Dec. 9 at Venuti’s in Addison. The following profile was provided by the organization: Ron Onesti currently serves as president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and third vice president of the Italian American Veterans Museum and is a past chairman of Casa Italia. For most people, that would be a lifetime’s worth of achievements, but for Ron, it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Ron has been …

The Vatican is teaming up with two Chicago hospitality heavyweights, chef Art Smith and restaurateur Phil Stefani, to open a restaurant at Borgo Laudato Si’, located within the historic Papal Villas of Castel Gandolfo. The collaboration was announced in early September as part of the inauguration of the 135-acre property, with Pope Leo XIV presiding over a ceremony, Eater Chicago reported. The yet-to-be named restaurant is expected to open in spring. The restaurant will be open for breakfast and lunch, and “will highlight farm-to-table Italian cooking with global touches, drawing influences from Chicago and Peruvian flavors in honor of Pope …

Steve Lewis of Meadowlark Hospitality has opened Little Lark, his newest concept, at 3132 N. Rockwell St. in the Guild Row space in Chicago. Lewis is the restaurateur behind Michelin-recognized Lardon, Union and The Meadowlark bar in Chicago. Little Lark’s “high-quality yet approachable cuisine set in a carefully crafted social space makes for a special immersive dining experience on the city’s Northwest Side,” a press release states. The menu features wood-fired neo-Neapolitan pizzas, ranging from familiar favorites like sausage or margherita, to more inventive like the ‘Nduja, featuring Lardon’s spicy house-cured salumi. The sweet corn pizza includes local farm fresh …

The website The Infatuation recently named Bar Roma in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood among the best pasta spots in the city. “Their staples like oxtail ragù with tagliatelle or spaghetti and meatballs (these beefy spheres are as excellent as the pasta) strongly place this spot in the category of restaurants called ‘I Wish This Was My Neighborhood Spot,’” the website states. Chef Alfredo Ramos, a graduate of the Culinary School of Kendall College, was chef de cuisine at Printer’s Row Restaurant in Chicago when he was nominated as a top-10 sous chef in the nation by Bertolli Olive Oil. He later …

Frank Conforti Jr. — along with the three generations of the Conforti family who have run Frankie’s Deli for more than half a century — were the guests of honor at Casa Italia’s 54th annual gala. The event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 8, at The Carlisle in Lombard. Joining Frank Jr. in the spotlight were his parents, Frank Sr. and Connie, and his son Mario, who have played key roles in making Frankie’s one of the most popular Italian food emporiums in the western suburbs, along with his wife, Linda, their son Frankie and son-in-law, Dominick Carmignani, who …

“Union Proud” was the theme of the Italian American Executives of Transportation’s 2025 awards dinner on Nov. 15 at Ashton Place in Willowbrook. The IAET honored labor leaders Michael DiGrazia, Anthony Guida and Michael Macellaio at the event, and present John Ferrentino with its Humanitarian of the Year Award. The following profiles were provided by the IAET: Michael DiGrazia Michael DiGrazia began his career working alongside his brothers in the logistics and warehousing industry, where he learned every aspect of transportation and distribution. As Michael often says, “There’s nothing made I can’t drive.” He proudly maintains a Commercial Driver’s License …

The Italian Catholic Federation Branch 392 presents Gino and Tatiana Rago with its Mother Cabrini Award on Nov. 16. The following profile was provided by the organization: Gino and Tatiana Rago Gino Rago was born in Chicago in 1965 to immigrant parents from Mola di Bari, Italy. Growing up, he lived briefly in Italy and spent many summers living with and visiting his grandparents. He would help his grandfather Leonardo work his farm, and watch his mom and grandmother bake cookies and prepare traditional meals. When Gino began first grade in Chicago, he only spoke Italian, at times joining other bilingual …

Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino, the bishop of Assisi, Italy, and curator of the tomb and relics of Carlo Acutis, was in town in July as part of a national tour to spotlight the life and legacy of the renowned teen, who used technology to evangelize before dying of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. Acutis was beatified on Oct. 10, 2020, and canonized on Sept. 7 of this year. The archbishop celebrated masses and offered public venerations of a relic of Acutis at two Chicago parishes: on July 15 at Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish (St. Hedwig Church), the only …

The wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum will debut in Chicago on Oct. 5 and 6 at the iconic Navy Pier, marking the first time this trade and networking event has been held outside Italy. Over two days, the program will feature a range of masterclasses designed to contextualize every aspect of the contemporary wine industry and showcase Italian styles, regions and trends currently shaping the global wine scene. Among the event’s offerings, the Italian Trade Agency will host three masterclasses to strengthen the role of Italian wine in the U.S. market and highlight ITA’s mission as a facilitator for Italian producers abroad. For more, click …

Thirty-One Days of Italians has released its 2025 List, honoring extraordinary people of Italian heritage who significantly influenced the history and development of America. The project was launched in 2006, with a list being provided annually for the month of October. The first day in October honors the Italian immigrant and the last day is set aside to honor someone not on the list. Honorary members are on the List every year and include Fr. Pietro Bandini, Constantino Brumidi, Mother Francis Cabrini, Enrico Caruso, Christopher Columbus, Enrico Fermi, Amadeo Pietro Giannini, Guglielmo Marconi, Filippo Mazzei, Antonio Meucci, Maria Montessori, Andrea Palladio, Antonio Pasin, …