I remember the first time we went to Little Italy; it was off of the downtown in an old home that was retrofitted for a restaurant. All of the rooms on the main floor were configured for maximum seating for some fine Italian cooking. There was even a little cozy table for two fitted into a closet (?) under the staircase. This was fine dining in a very casual atmosphere and hence the noise level was high, but it lent to the charm of the room. Everyone was there for the food, as well as for a good time.
I also remember when they expanded in the back and made a bar and a more casual dining area and started making great pizzas. When ever we were in the restaurant, I would have to talk a walk into the back area, just to see some friends that I may have missed being in the dining room.
John Gallagher was the chef and co-owner, a wonderful gregarious man who embody the image of a chef, even if he wasn’t Italian. He had a sparkle in his eye and always a kind word to say to all of the patrons. One day he took me down in the basement to show me the wine cellar for the restaurant. The cellar was not for the public and it was a very pedestrian room, but designed for maximum efficiency. After they added the bar area, they also opened up a little Italian market for food, wine and pick-up orders of food.
One of the many bottles of Italian wine that we enjoyed was a bottle from the Brunello di Motalcino region which is just south of the Firenze (Florence) district of Chianti. This bottle that we enjoyed was Pian delle Vigne 1998 and it was just as robust and chewy as any of the top producers of a Chianti Classico Riserva. A deep colored Italian wine with a classic nose with some fruit as it was still young with a strong tannin presence, which said “I should still be aging.” This wine was ideal pairing with the great sauces on the dishes we enjoyed that evening.
Alas, the restaurant eventually changed hands, and then there was a fire in the kitchen. The structure remained as there was talk of rebuilding and I am sad to say it has been razed and is just a flat parcel of land today.
The Wine Raconteur 
Funny…when I traveled in that region, Chianti and Montalcino seemed so very far apart geographically…I guess it is the Italian roads that make it seem way longer than the 100 km or so…
Oliver,
You are very fortunate to have traveled there and I hope enjoyed the food and the wines. I have never been, but I do note a familial bond between the two wines. I have certainly had the good fortune to taste many fine wines from this region and have enjoyed them.
– John
I am, mainly for purse reasons, but also because I tend to go with the smaller sibling, a big fan of vino nobile, the wine from Montepulciano.
I absolutely love that region of Italy. One of my favorite day trips is going from Montalcino via Pienza to Montepulciano. A mere 20 km, but so gorgeous….ah, I miss Italy a lot. Did I tell you I spent most of my childhood summers around 70 km north of Rome? It was bliss…
Oliver,
I may have to hide your remarks from my Bride, as she has been urging me to go to Italy. We shall see. As for Montepulciano wines, I think that they are still unknown to many wine enthusiasts, which is fine for me, as it keeps the price down and the quality is there for most. I have wrote once, maybe twice about Montepulciano and I am sure that there are still many more memories to be resurrected about these gems.
– John
You should take your bride, seriously! I promised Nina Italy to convince her to move to Germany (which she did). But then we never made it…a Kenya and Zanzibar trip got in the way of an already booked Italy trip! So, I had to take her to Rome this summer…I simply could not take the nagging any more.
Oliver,
You are much more the world traveler than I am, I only travel as far as the wine list in most restaurants. I am sure though, we may make the trip for our next big anniversary. The Brides can be adamant about such things.
– John
As well they should. And you should go and experience Arcadia. 🙂