Chef Jam at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum - Photo Bob Perkoski | Show Photo

Little Italy

Little Italy - Photo by Bob Perkoski

Mention Little Italy to a Clevelander and you are likely to be regaled with stories of Neapolitan-style pizza, veal parmesan and creamy gelato. That's expected as this historic neighborhood has been home to Italian immigrants for generations � and, well, we all have to eat!

But dig a little deeper, past the cheese and meatballs, and you'll discover a lively borough where students, artists, families and visitors peaceably coexist. Second only to the restaurants in popularity are the area's eclectic art galleries and studios. Nearly two dozen art galleries can be found along the charming brick lanes, with the highest concentration taking up residence in a converted brick schoolhouse. Artwalks are a frequent and favored form of weekend entertainment.

Close to University Circle and its medical, cultural and educational institutions, Little Italy is a natural choice for students and staffers of those institutions to live, eat and play. Visit nearby Lake View Cemetery, a 300-acre cemetery that doubles as the neighborhood's Central Park, and you'll discover all the trappings of a residential community. Dog parks, picnics and casual strolls are all common sights at this 140-year-old gem.

Little Italy Features

entrepreneurs riding road to success thanks to growing bike-based economy

Lee Chilcote Thursday, June 06, 2013

As cities continue to become more bike-friendly, new bike-based businesses are springing up to support the movement. These bike-centric businesses are both banking on and promoting a growing interest in riding, and in the process they are boosting their cities' economies.

pets with benefits: how urban chickens are helping to build community

Douglas Trattner Thursday, June 06, 2013

It's been four years since Cleveland began allowing residents to keep chickens and one year for Cleveland Heights. Rather than the chicken-induced apocalypse predicted by some vocal critics, neither city has experienced any significant issues. In fact, chickens are improving communities in unexpected ways.

meals on wheels: local food truck scene keeps on rollin'

Erin O'Brien Thursday, May 23, 2013

East, West, North and South -- it's getting easier and easier to score a hot, fresh and delicious meal from a food truck. In just three years' time, the Cleveland food truck scene has zoomed from 0 to 60, with dozens of rigs scattered all over town. Here's a little help finding them.

in digital world, indie pubs aim to fill void left by waning mainstream print

Douglas J. Guth Thursday, May 02, 2013

In the age of digital everything, self-published periodicals are enjoying a bit of a revival. Geared towards those who prefer the tactile sensation of thumbing through an honest-to-goodness magazine, these indie pubs are filling voids left by declining mainstream print.

these ain't no boomerangs: transplants relish life in a new corner of the world

Karin Connelly Thursday, April 25, 2013

At times it seems like everybody living in this town was born in this town. After all, who would choose to settle here unless they had deep family roots? We introduce four transplants who moved to Cleveland and never looked back. Not only have they made the most of it; they've made a life of it.

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