Neighborhood News from Little Italy, Baltimore

febbraio / February 2024

Two locals open

Mediterranean restaurant in Little Italy

A new restaurant in Little Italy, Costiera, opened last month. Owners Brian Lavin and Sam White created this coastal Mediterranean-inspired and mid-Atlantic sourced restaurant at Central & Eastern Avenues (formerly Clark Burger, next to 5 Iron Golf). "We chose Little Italy because the location and size of the space was perfect for our restaurant concept," said White. "Central Avenue is gorgeous and the neighborhood continues to be the center of quality dining in Baltimore." Costiera invites you to try them, "whether you're looking for a leisurely dinner with loved ones, a quick happy hour catch-up with friends, or a meal at the bar." They plan to host monthly wine dinners, guest chefs, and other events - the first one is set for March 11."

COSTIERA

443-438-4363

415 S. Central Avenue

Monday - Saturday 4-10pm | closed Sunday

Happy Hour 4-6 pm

instagram | @costierabaltimore

Sam@CostieriaBaltimore.com

Q&A with Sam & Brian

Where are you from?

"Brian grew up in Howard County and Sam in Baltimore County. Both of us have lived in Fells point for the last decade. Brian also lived in Los Angeles for three years."

Are you Italian?

"My grandfather (Sam's) was the son of Italian immigrants; I believe that makes me third generation. Pop-Pop Sacco had cousins that lived outside of Torino; my grandparents visited the Amalfi Coast annually for 19 consecutive years."

Are you both chefs?

"Brian is the executive chef and Sam is the beverage director."

Why the name Costiera?

"Costiera means coastline in Italian. It is no secret that Marylanders love seafood as much as the Mediterranean cultures; we are highlighting the delicious bounty to which we have access in the mid-Atlantic. We also honor the pride Italians feel in hospitality and preparing with fresh ingredients."

Is this an Italian restaurant?

"The menu is primarily Italian, featuring fresh, house-made pasta, but Brian also draws inspiration from Spain, France, Morocco, and the Mediterranean islands."

What is your restaurant background?

Brian is known from several neighborhood spots: Salt, Fork & Wrench, and Gnocco. He also worked at Terzo, Milo & Olive, and Wood & Salt Tavern in Los Angeles. Sam worked at Cinghiale before joining Brian at Gnocco; and most recently managed Tagliata and Mom's Organic Market.

Around the parish & neighborhood

STUDENTS LUNCH IN LITTLE ITALY

Dr. Elizabeth Scali Pease, Italian & French instructor and bocce club moderator at Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore, brought her Italian language students to Little Italy February 8th for a traditional Italian meal at La Scala Ristorante Italiano, followed by games of indoor bocce. The students conversed in Italian with native Italian, Guido DeFranco, previous owner & chef of Caesar's Den, accompanied by Ray Alcaraz, co-founder of Promotion Center for Little Italy and alumnus of Mount St. Joseph.

Blast from the past

Submitted by Michele Petti

Cousins Sal Petti, Bob Zelkoski, John Petti

on Halloween in the late 1940s

submit your vintage photo >>>

Include caption, people ID, location, approximate year, and your name.

Photos must be Little Italy or Italian immigrant-related.

Events

Click video to watch a FUN 2-minute cartoon

about St. Leo's Carryout Ravioli Dinner!

2024 LODGE DUES ... Membership renewals for the Little Italy Lodge are open. If you were not a 2023 member yet have been a member previously, come on back! For those considering membership, the newer bylaws state that membership is open also to non-Italians. Annual dues are $50, payable to Little Italy Lodge #2286. Click to pay online, To mail a check, email Teresa Lenzenweger for instructions.

from our emailbox

"Happy new year to the Little Italy community. Another awesome issue to start off the year."

~ Vince Zaccaria

"Wonderful newsletter, thank you! Auguri di Buon Anno!"

~ Elizabeth Scali Pease

"I received a call from a gentleman researching his family's connection with Baltimore. I don't know if anyone in the neighborhood keeps records for researching family history. I told him I would send his request to the only person I know that could possibly help. No guarantees. Below is the information he shared. If you anyone can help, his phone is 304-366-5094."

My grandfather's name is Francesco Lucente, born in San Giovanni in Fiore, Italy. He may have left Italy from Genova, Naples or Palermo and arrived at Port of Baltimore landing. Names of ships leaving Italy for the U.S. include Victoria, Saturnian, Conte di Sovia, Augustus, and Rex. His father is Salvatore and mother is Rose Marra Lucente."

~ Shauntee Daniels, Executive Director,

Baltimore National Heritage Area

"I wanted to share a photo of our Friday Night kitchen crew back in the day when I was a member of Lodge #2286 living in the Baltimore area: two Tonys, one John, Chef Pons, and me. I have finally found and joined a lodge in Arizona close to where I live, the Leonardo Da Vinci Lodge #2992. It has been in existence since 2016 and has grown to about 85 members.

I am still on your email list and love to see the people and activities still going on at the Little Italy Lodge in Baltimore. I really miss you guys!! I hope to visit soon for a nice Friday night dinner. Anyone visiting the West Phoenix Valley in Arizona is always welcome to our second Sunday of the month dinners. Auguri ... Buon Anno!"

~ Arrivederci, Stephen Pirro