The Heartbeat of the Italian Community LITTLE ITALY

Just up the hill from University Circle, on Cleveland’s east side, you’ll find a charming intersection of Old World and New World in the historic neighborhood of Little Italy.

Artisans, college students and long-time residents call Little Italy their home, sharing it with tourists and businesspeople. Restaurants, bakeries, shops and galleries line the steep, narrow road, also known as Mayfield Hill. Sweet and savory scents waft through the air. As contemporary as it is traditional, Little Italy offers something for everyone.

For a unique shopping experience, visit La Bella Vita (2013 Murray Hill Road, Cleveland 44106; 216.421.1717). It is one of the country’s largest Italian import shops and one of just 14 Villa VIETRI “stores of distinction” in the United States. At La Bella Vita, you’ll discover over 2,000 square feet of casually elegant tableware and specialty gifts, including plates, flatware, serving pieces, linens, wine décor and accessories, glassware, music and more. The store carries every line of VIETRI Italian handcrafted products with over 120 artists’ designs in clay, glass and other media. Mariposa, Casafina and over 25 other brands are also part of the exclusive offerings of products not distributed through chain or department stores.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite shopping and galleryhopping your way through Little Italy, head to any one of 20 different restaurants, cafés or bakeries. For grilled calamari, we recommend Etna Ristorante & Wine Bar (11919 Mayfield Road; 216.791.7670). At Mia Bella (12200 Mayfield Road; 216.795.2355), don’t miss the fettuccine carbonara. Or at La Dolce Vita (12112 Mayfield Road; 216.721.8155), try the fresh gnocchi. Just be sure to save room for dessert. No trip to Little Italy is complete without a stop at Corbo’s Bakery (12210 Mayfield Road; 216.421.8181) for cassata cake or Presti’s Bakery & Café (12101 Mayfield Road; 216.421.3060) for authentic cannoli.

CV Tip

Valet parking is available in Little Italy Friday & Saturday evenings, 5pm-Midnight. There are four valet stations on Mayfield Road and one on Murray Hill, north of Cornell Street. Some on-street parking is also available.

La Bella Vita is the largest Italian tableware & giftware gallery in the Great Lakes states.

labellavitacleveland.com One of the 14 VILLA VIETRI showcase stores in the U.S.

Located in Historic Little Italy Call for seasonal hours 216.421.1717

Visit our new tableware specialty store at Eton Chagrin Blvd. in Woodmere, OH 216.292.3000

Specialty gifts, such as this Italian pottery, can be found at La Bella Vita.

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