Little Italy in Cleveland, OH
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Welcome to Little Italy
Little Italy is also host to the annual Feast of the Assumption Festival.
A visit to the "old neighborhood" is like stepping back in time, to when neighbors were more like friends, and the restaurants were owned by local families and everyone knew your name.
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Chef Boyardee opened his first restaurant, Il Giardino d'Italia, in Little Italy in the 1940s
Little Italy, Cleveland - Wikipedia
Little Italy is a neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio located at the base of Murray Hill, between Cleveland's University Circle neighborhood and the suburb of Cleveland Heights. It houses many of Cleveland's well-liked Italian restaurants and serves as the center of Italian culture in the Greater Cleveland Area. Guarino's was the first Italian restaurant in Cleveland, and the first Italian restaurant in the state of Ohio. It is located just past Murray Hill on Mayfield Road. Chef Boyardee opened his first restaurant, Il Giardino d'Italia, in Little Italy in the 1940s. The first pasta machine was invented in Little Italy by an Italian immigrant named Angelo Vitantonio, who received a United States patent for the product in 1906.
The area is also home to many private art galleries and two private schools, and is within walking distance from Case Western Reserve University. Each August on the Roman Catholic Feast of the Assumption, Little Italy stages an Italian cultural festival, the Feast of the Assumption Festival.
For much of its history, Little Italy was home to the largest Mafia organization between New York and Chicago. The organization was the seat of power for families that operated in Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Toledo, Detroit, and Akron.
Famous visitors include Pope John Paul, Frank Sinatra, and Jack Ruby.
The first pasta machine was invented in Little Italy by an Italian immigrant named Angelo Vitantonio.
Little Italy Restaurants, Bakeries, and Delis
Dining in Little Italy
- Algebra Tea House
- They have a wonderful menu featuring exotic coffee and tea varieties, healthy sandwiches, wraps, breakfast, and decadent desserts. They have a nice selection of vegetarian friendly dishes, too.
- Anthony's of Little Italy
- Anthony's is a fabulous fixture of the old neighborhood. They have mouth watering pizza, gelato, and amazing Italian treats like cannoli and and tiramisu.
- The Baricelli Inn
- The Baricelli Inn is a gorgeous restaurant and bed and breakfast, located in Little Italy. They are famous for featuring fresh, local ingredients on their menu.
- Corbo's Bakery
- I swear I can gain a pound from the smell of this amazing place. Corbo's has been a landmark in Little Italy for generations, and Rego's stores around the suburbs also carry their baked goods.
- Gusto!
- Gusto offers fine dining with Northern Italian cuisine and a wonderful atmosphere, perfect for special occasions.
- Michalelangelo's
- Italian Restaurant in Little Iraly.
- Presti's
- Bakery, cafe, and deli in Little Italy.
- Teahouse Noodles
- Healthy New Asian cuisine in Little Italy. We love that this place has fantastic options for vegetarians.
Have you been to Little Italy?
the-fashion-fiend wrote...
What a lovely place! It's funny how some of the best places in the world are sort of "tucked in" - most people don't know that they even exist. This is great! Makes me want to go visit - maybe I'll take a road trip from Colorado to go see... =)
poddys wrote...
Those Italians get everywhere don't they :) This looks like a great place, and on the lake too.
kiwisoutback wrote...
If it's anything like the Little Italy (the North End) here in Massachusetts (Boston), I know I'd love this. There's nothing like a fresh cannoli from an Italian bakery.
praise wrote...
I love Little Italy, visit at least once a year, have to stop at Presti's bakery and Mama Santa's pizza parlor. Was there last week too. Great shops and oh the atmosphere and aromas.
Debra
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Feast of the Assumption
- Feast of the Assumption Festival
- Wikipedia entry for Cleveland's Feast of the Assumption Festival. Read about this event or help to expand this article.
- The Feast
- Information about the Feast of the Assumption, including the schedule of events at Holy Rosary Church.
Assumption of Mary
Category: Image - :Baroque Rubens Assumption-of-Virgin-3.jpg|thumb|250px|The Assumption of the Virgin Mary has been a subject of veneration, doctrine and Catholic Marian art for centuries. This painting is by Rubens, 1626.
The Assumption of Mary is the traditional belief held by Christians of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and some Protestant churches such as Lutheranism and Anglo-Catholic Anglicans that the Virgin Mary at the end of her life was physically taken up into heaven. The Roman Catholic Church teaches as dogma that the Virgin Mary, "having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory."Pope Pius XII: "Munificentissimus Deus - Defining the Dogma of the Assumption", par. 44. Vatican, November 1, 1950 This means that it claims that Mary was transported into Heaven with her body and soul united. This doctrine was dogmatically and infallibly defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950, in his Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus. The feast day recognizing Mary's assumed passage into Heaven is celebrated as The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Roman Catholics, and as the Dormition by Orthodox Christians. In those denominations that observe it, the Assumption is a major festival, commonly celebrated on August 15. This is a Holy Day of Obligation in many Roman Catholic jurisdictions.
In his August 15, 2004, homily given at Lourdes, Pope John Paul II quoted from the Bible as a scriptural basis for understanding the dogma of the Assumption of Mary. In this verse, Jesus tells his disciples at the Last Supper, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also." According to Catholic theology, Mary is the pledge of the fulfillment of Christ's promise. However, many theologians disagree with this interpretation of Scripture, and believe that Christ was speaking about his preparation of Calvary and the crucifixion for the remission of sins.Homily of the Holy Father John Paul II, August 15, 2004, Apostolic Pilgrimage to Lourdes, Women for Faith and Family,http://www.wf-f.org/JPII_LourdesHomily.html
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Directions to Little Italy
Photos of Little Italy
Latest news about Little Italy
- It's never too late to realize a dream
- "That I never got to pursue playing baseball," said Tomassetti, who grew up in Wooster's "Little Italy" neighborhood and now resides in the Rittman ...
- Renewed Cornell Road Bridge to reopen after being closed for four ...
- There will be no fireworks but lots of celebrating on Thursday when the Cornell Road bridge, a vital link between Little Italy and University Circle, ...
- Germs come to Cleveland with actor Shane West playing singer ...
- If you think the art walks of Tremont and Little Italy are the only treks in town, then you haven't been to Collinwood. The shops and galleries of the ...
Neighborhood Stats
The population of 44106 is 32,398.
That's #2272 out of all 42,305 zip codes.
37% of the population is white, which is 37 points less than the national average.
The average household income in 44106 is $21,077, which is $8,621 less than the typical average.
This contributes to the average house being worth $83,300. When the survey was done in 2000, that represented a difference of 6% from the typical value.
Men make up 48% of the population, and the typical age in this part of OH is 30.5.
Stats about: Cleveland, OH
Population: 32,398Number of Households: 15,627
Average House Value: $83,300
Average Income per Household: $21,077
Elevation: 582 ft
Population Breakdown:
Weather in Little Italy
Current weather conditions in Cleveland, OH (44106)
Local Pollen Reports
75°F (Feels like 75°F)
Last update: 7/12/09 12:53 PM EDT
Humidity: 53%Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: 57°F
UV Index: 9 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 30.03in steady
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 7mph From: Airport Conditions

Today
Fair
High: 76°F
Low: 55°F
Sunrise: 6:03 AM
Sunset: 9:00 PM

Monday
Jul 13
Mostly Sunny
High: 77°F
Low: 59°F
Sunrise: 6:04 AM
Sunset: 9:00 PM

Tuesday
Jul 14
Mostly Sunny
High: 77°F
Low: 63°F
Sunrise: 6:05 AM
Sunset: 8:59 PM

Wednesday
Jul 15
Mostly Sunny
High: 82°F
Low: 69°F
Sunrise: 6:06 AM
Sunset: 8:59 PM
Night Life Around Little Italy
Here's what Yelpers have to say about Night Life in 44106
- The Velvet Tango Room (Cleveland)

- "I cannot stand Cleveland. It is one of the bleakest, most depressing places I have ever been to. But this place is probably my favorite bar ever!!!!! I..." more
- Lola (Cleveland)

- "Quite an experience I must say. The meal was quite delectable. The pomegranate martini was well worth the money I spent for it, similar in price to many..." more
- Beachland Ballroom & Tavern (Cleveland)

- "The BB was my favorite place to see unknown bands and reunited dinosaur rockers when i lived on the east side. I saw some great shows like Love, Mr...." more
- La Cave Du Vin (Cleveland)

- "i don't think i've ever had wine at this place. the beer selection is incredible - a must for all beer snobs! i appreciate the cave-like atmosphere. it's..." more
- Grog Shop (Cleveland)

- "I was very excited when the Grog upgraded to a bigger space. I have yet to feel the impact. It took some of the basement-band immediacy away and added a..." more
Cleveland Attractions Around Little Italy
- Cleveland Museum of Art, The
- The rotating collections at this museum include works from multiple historical periods and cultures...
- Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
- Over 200 rare vintage automobiles and aircraft are showcased in this unique museum that shows exampl...
- International Women's Air and Space Museum
- A unique museum that highlights women's achievements in aviation and space plus features an on site...
- Kent State University Museum
- Focusing mainly upon the history of fashion in clothing and decorative arts, this museum has a colle...
- Miami University Art Museum
- Completed in 1978, houses five galleries of changing exhibitions, a growing permanent collection of...
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Little Italy Index
- Little Italy, Cleveland - Wikipedia
- Little Italy Restaurants, Bakeries, and Delis
- Have you been to Little Italy?
- Did You Enjoy This Lens?
- Feast of the Assumption
- Assumption of Mary
- Explore Cleveland
- Directions to Little Italy
- Photos of Little Italy
- Latest news about Little Italy
- Neighborhood Stats
- Weather in Little Italy
- Night Life Around Little Italy
- Cleveland Attractions Around Little Italy
- Visit these Squidoo Groups
- Please Help the Ferrets in Cleveland
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