Our winters are too long, governed by dreaded lake effect snow, and sunshine is a coveted commodity, but come spring, we here in Cleveland, Ohio have something to look forward to: The Cleveland International Film Festival.
The CIFF runs April 3 to April 14 and once again has a couple of Italian films, most importantly the Taviani Brother’s Berlinale Golden Bear winner Cesare Deve Morire (Caesar Must Die).
Read my review of Cesare Deve Morire
If you come to Cleveland, don’t judge us; we’ve been through some hard times. But we do have a few things to offer. There’s the lake, the new aquarium, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
From the film festivals’ website: more about Cleveland, and a list of hotels. And we do have a little Italy, a small one, but with a couple of my favorite restaurants.
Valerio’s is owned by Valerio Iorio and his wife Stella, both originally from Sicily and their restaurant is very authentic. We haven’t looked at the menu for years; we just tell Valerio to tell us what’s good that day. If you go, be sure to mention me and this website. Valerio loves Italian films, the new ones, like I do, and loves to talk about them.
Right down the street Stella’s brother Peppe Pilumeli has another little gem of a place called Etna Ristorante and Wine Bar, original, contemporary in a cozy “old world” atmosphere with fresh seafood specials daily.
Let me know if you’re going!
I Love Italian Everything 